Play Dates

Events and places to visit in Southeastern North Carolina

MARCH 30

THU

Bernard ‘Pretty’ Purdie

323 Pollock Street

New Bern, N.C.

Bernard Lee “Pretty” Purdie is an American drummer. Best known for his signature Purdie Shu e. They will be playing on March 30 at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

APRIL 1 SAT

Spring Fly-in Aero-Modelers

207 Airport Rd, Kinston, N.C.

Pilot brie ng is at 9 a.m. Primitive Camping welcome. BBQ chicken, drinks and concessions available. For information, call 252-315-9100.

APRIL 1 SAT

2023 Spring Fling

13175 NC-50, Holly Ridge, N.C.

Dance the night away at the Topsail Island Moose Lodge spring fundraiser featuring live music from The Notorious Clamslammers from 7 to 10 p.m.

APRIL 8 FRI

North Carolina

Shad Boat exhibit

501 South Water Street

Elizabeth City, N.C.

The unique exhibit showcases the “North Carolina Shad Boat”, a 1904 original shad boat built by renowned builder and wood carver, Alvirah Wright.

APRIL 12 WED

NC Azalea Festival

5725 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, N.C.

Wilmington’s Azalea Festival returns this spring from April 12 through April 16. Each year, colorful parades, home tours, and musical entertainment build to the crowning the Azalea Queen. Known as one of the biggest and best festivals along the southeast coastline, and newcomers are welcome to join in the fun to experience full days of vendors, live music and parades.

APRIL 14 FRI

Arts in April Music Festival

414 Pollock Street, New Bern, N.C.

New Bern’s Arts in April Music Festival is a three-day event that will kick o on April 14. On Saturday enjoy live musicians performing free concerts in front of downtown storefronts, parks, and residences all day. Three featured guest artist concerts will anchor the Arts in April Music Festival on NBCT’s Athens MainStage Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday a ernoon at 2:00 p.m.

IMPORTANT NOTE ON UPCOMING EVENTS:

All of the events listed here were still on schedule as of press time, but it’s best to check with each venue to ensure that the event is still going on as planned.

Pender County Business Expo

15395 US-17

Hampstead, N.C.

Pender County’s Business Expo & Trade Show will take place on April 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tara Creek Pro Rodeo

136 Robert Hobbs Rd., Faison, N.C.

The Atlantic Packaging Arena will be lled with some of the best cowboys and cowgirls on Apr 21-22 at 7:30 p.m.

APRIL

Fayetteville Dogwood Festival

222 Hay Street, Fayetteville, N.C.

The festival kicks o April 27 with the Cork & Fork: premier food and wine event with live music, carnival rides, and food from a variety of vendors. Saturday features a Street Fair, a Kid’s Zone and a BMX Bike Show. Sunday will continue the fun, but add on a car and motorcycle show, and more midway rides to conclude the event. For details, visit fayettevilledogwoodfestival.com.

APRIL

Pickle Festival

123 N. Center St. Mount Olive, N.C.

The North Carolina Pickle Festival returns to Mount Olive on April 29. With pickle fans from far and wide, this year’s royal-themed festival is one you won’t forget!

Sights and Sounds Concert Series

3201 S 17th St.

Wilmington, N.C.

From 2-4 p.m. at the As part of the North Carolina Artists Series, this harp, viola, and ute trio features top talent with ties to the state. Program featuring French-inspired music for harp. All the composers had musical relationships: Debussy inspiring and competing with Ravel; Faur© teaching Ravel at the Conservatoire; Reni© in uencing Ravel and Debussy; Ravel cavorting with the likes of de Falla and Stravinsky. As part of the North Carolina Artists Series, this harp, viola, and ute trio features top talent with ties to the state.

The Carolina Strawberry Festival will feature a weekend of full of fun activities. On Friday, May 5, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. participants can enjoy a great selection of entertainment, strawberries, wings, beer and a wine garden. On Saturday, May 6, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. will feature a great selection of food vendors, entertainment, strawberries, a dare devil dog show, cooking contest, little miss pageant, helicopter rides, BBQ sandwiches, a Beer & Wine Garden and more. Bring your shaggin shoes and close the festival with the Band of Oz playing at 8 p.m. For more details, visit carolinastrawberryfestival.com.

Island Arts Festival

Atlantic Avenue at S Lake Park Blvd.

Carolina Beach, NC

Celebrate visual, culinary and performing arts by the sea when the Island Arts Festival expands to a two day celebration. Friday brings an evening indoor group of exhibits at the Community Life Center on 300 Harper Avenue featuring arts, ne cra s and specialty culinary arts. On Saturday, enjoy artist vendors outside at Carolina Beach Lake Park displaying their ne arts and cra s, demonstrations of creative processes, an interactive art area for kids, artists’ performances and much more.

The annual Wooden Boat Show is a tradition in the town of Beaufort, and its 49th celebration promises to be bigger and more engaging than ever before. With a long roster of activities that are slated for the weekend-long event, visitors will be treated to a wealth of activities, displays, exhibits, and interactive ways to join in the fun.

BBQ Fest on the Neuse

Pearson Park, Mitchell St. in Downtown, Kinston, N.C.

The 2023 BBQ Fest on the Neuse kicks o Friday at 5 p.m. and will feature a cook o , carnival rides, a beer and a wine garden and hundreds of vendors May 5- May 6. Easton Corbin will be headlining the 2023 festival with a free concert on Friday, May 5 at 8:30 p.m. For more information, visit https://kinstonbbq.com/

May 13 Sat

Atlantic Beach

International Food Festival

201 W. Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach, N.C.

Celebrate the spring and summer kicko at The CIRCLE in Atlantic Beach on Saturday, May 13 from noon to 8 p.m.

May 18 Thu

North Carolina Symphony

203 S Front St., New Bern, N.C.

Relive your favorite musical moments in lm history with North Carolina Symphony Movie Music Classics. Michelle Di Russo - Romeo and Juliet on May 18 from 7:30 p.m.9:30 p.m.

Weddings, bridal and baby showers, rehearsal dinners, elegant plated meals, buffet, hors d’oeuvres, fresh flower arrangements, wedding cakes and favors, rentals

COMESEE

OCTOBER 13-23RD!

Holidays are coming...get your orders in for cakes, pies, cookies and other goodies now!! Ezzellscatering@hotmail.com

North Carolina Home Expo

1960 Coliseum Dr. Fayeteville, N.C.

Explore the latest in home improvement, remodeling, outdoor living, and more at the North Carolina Home Expo on May 19-21, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Meet with local contractors and remodeling experts and expect to be inspired.

At the Gallery Concert Series

317 Middle Street, New Bern, NC

The Boni des will perform music by Fleetwod Mac at the Gallery on Saturday, May 20 at 7 p.m. with pre-concert talk at 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Beaufort Music Festival

Gallants Channel

Beaufort, NC

The Beaufort Music Festival will be on May 19 - May 20 with music that ranges from bluegrass and country, to funk, blues and jazz. The Beaufort Music Festival has become a beloved event for music lovers everywhere, thanks to its amazing line-up of talented artists, and its home base in the charming coastal town of Beaufort. Featuring two full days of music that are stocked with local, regional, and even nationally recognized artists and performers at the heart of the Crystal Coast.

MAY 20

Wings Over Wayne Air Show

Seymour Johnson AFB, Goldsboro, N.C.

The Wings Over Wayne Air Show takes ight on May 20 and May 21. Wings Over Wayne Air Show is FREE.

MAY 27 SAT

Orange Street ArtsFest

120 S. 2nd Street.

Wilmington, N.C.

Orange Street ArtsFest will be May 27, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thalian Association Community Theatre is excited to announce that the 27th Annual Orange Street ArtsFest will be held this year on Memorial Day Weekend.

Arts by the Sea Festival Swansboro, N.C.

Enjoy the Swansboro Arts by the Sea Festival on Saturday, June 10. This unique and day-long festival has a wealth of activities, entertainment and enticements for everyone in the family, with plenty of food, cra s, children’s activities, and shopping opportunities in the picturesque Swansboro waterfront town.

Kayak for the Warriors

162

Kayak for the Warriors is a 3.2-mile kayak and paddleboard race through Bogue Sound and the Pine Knoll Shores canals, and begins June 3, at 10 a.m., in the following categories: Elite Racers, Paddleboard Racers, Tandem Racers, and General Kayakers. Proceeds support Hope For The Warriors.

JUNE 16

NC Blueberry Festival

106 E Wilmington Street, Burgaw, N.C.

The Blueberry Festival is celebrating 20 years this June 16-17. The festival highlights the historical, economic, and cultural signi cance of blueberries in the southeastern region of our state. The festival is a great source of local pride. More than 100 volunteers are required to stage over 20 events ranging from live entertainment to car show, a street fair, recipe contest, barbecue cook-o , a 5K run, kids’ activities, special exhibits, and more!