Mark your calendar for these annual festivals

The following list includes must-attend annual events to put on your calendar – some like the large Bentonville Battlefield Re-enactment only happens every five years, so the next one will be in March, 2020. 

February

Black History Month activities are held around the county at Johnston Community College and the Benson Museum of Local History.

March

Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site commemorates the anniversary of the battle the third weekend each year, with the large reenactments held every five years.

April

Classic Antique Power Heritage Festival showcases antique tractors, equipment and hold demonstrations.

NC Beer Month is a month-long celebration of NC Craft Beer with events at Deep River and Double Barley Breweries.

Strawberry Festival held the last Saturday of April is a community festival with tons of family fun and of course, strawberries.

May

Smithfield Ham and Yam Festival is teaming with ham biscuits, barbecue, and sweet potato treats. Held the first Saturday in May, enjoy arts, crafts, live music and piglet races.

June

301 Endless Yard Sale runs along the US Highway 301 from Weldon down to Dunn, in North Carolina, with over 500 vendors and 100 miles of yard sales.

State Annual Singing Convention is the oldest Southern Gospel convention in the nation and includes a weekend filled with music featuring duets, trios, quartets, and more.

September

Benson Mule Days, a four-day family-fun festival packed with mule competition events, rodeos, carnival rides, arts and crafts, and concerts.

The Four Oaks Acorn festival is great family fun, including children's activities, live entertainment, vendor fair, antique car and tractor show, barbecue competition, and more.

October

Selma Railroad Days celebrates the town’s rail heritage with a 5K run, parade, crafts, food, and music.

Historical Ghost Walk is fun event for all ages held at the Riverside Cemetery in Smithfield with costumed actors telling stories of famous or infamous persons buried there.

November and December

Clayton Harvest Festival in early November has roots dating back to 1951 and is one of the largest festivals in Johnston County. It includes a midway with fair rides, games, and food, Clayton Idol singing competition, Clayton’s largest vendor fair, classic car show, tractor show, and bike show, as well as local performances, and a Latin American Festival celebration.

Shindig is a one-day Americana music festival that takes place in Clayton the first Saturday in November every year with nationally-known bands, craft beer, food trucks, and local vendors.

Christmas Live @ The Rudy brings visitors from around the region for a show that captures the magic of the holidays, with comedy, song and costumes. 

Meadow Lights is the largest and oldest Christmas light display in Eastern North Carolina, with an old fashion candy store, train rides, and of course, Santa.