Enjoy Four Seasons of Fun in the Triangle East
Check out this guide for fun things to do in Smithfield, Selma and the rest of this region in eastern North Carolina.
The nine communities of the Triangle East region of North Carolina range from mid-sized (Smithfield, at just over 12,000 residents) to downright tiny (the aptly named Micro, with just around 3,000 residents), each with its own identity, vibe and entertainment scene. Then consider the four seasons – and it’s clear that area residents have a plethora of fun things to do in Smithfield, Selma and the rest of the Triangle East, no matter the time of year.
In This Article
Spring Has Sprung
As days get longer, farmers markets begin to sprout across the region; Johnston County alone boasts over two dozen farm stands and markets. Asparagus, broccoli, leafy greens, peas and radishes come into season in March and April, and for those looking to get their hands dirty, several area farms like Princeton’s J&L Produce offer pick-your-own berries during the spring months.
Not so hands-on? The Southern National Motorsports Park just outside of Kenly, which celebrated its 30th year in 2023, kicks off its stock car racing season in April. Visitors can see vehicles reach speeds of over 100 miles per hour on the four-tenths-mile track.
Then there’s the start of festival season: Selma’s Rockin’ on Raiford concert series kicks off in late spring, with food trucks and free live music taking over downtown each month through the summer. In May, the Smithfield Ham and Yam Festival honors the city’s most famous agricultural products with, among other things, ham biscuits and What’s That Yam Thing?, a kids’ art contest where the medium is – you guessed it – starchy orange tubers. Also in May, the UNC Health Johnston Derby Day at Portofino features a red carpet, derby outfit contest, horse races and dressage expo.
Splashy Summer
As summertime temps soar, it’s all about keeping cool. That’s simple with easy water access to Smithfield’s Neuse River and the Smithfield Recreation and Aquatics Center. SRAC has both a pool and splash park, and is the start and home of the swim leg of June’s Three Little Pigs Triathlon.
Other cool traditions include cones from Old Fashioned Ice Cream in Selma (the name says it all), and in Smithfield, shaved ice from Sweet Southern SnoBalls and frozen yogurt from sweetFrog.
Every August, the Smithfield River Rat Regatta launches. Cardboard, glue and duct tape sailing vessels take to the Neuse River in the ultimate – and hilarious – case of “sink or swim.” And with wine grapes beginning to ripen in late summer, a visit to Hinnant Family Vineyards in Pine Level is a must, whether guests are picking their own muscadine grapes or tasting the fruit of the family’s labors.
It’s Fall, Y’all
Crisp fall weather means harvest days and brightly colored foliage as you enjoy a variety of fun things to do in Smithfield and the Triangle East. Check out brilliant crimson, yellow and orange leaves at local parks and gardens, such as Smithfield’s Johnston Community College Arboretum. Stock up on fall favorites like apple cider, eggnog, mums and pumpkins at Crooked Row Produce in Selma. Sonlight Farms in Kenly offers an 8-acre corn maze, hayrides, an autumn market and other seasonal fun.
October is a big month for festivals, too. For nearly 50 years, Selma has put on Railroad Days Festival, and in 2023, the town hosted three days of model train shows, live music, carnival rides and a parade.
Smithfield’s Third StrEATery also sets up shop in October; part of Third Street is closed to traffic and outfitted with tables, live music and games to encourage evening sipping, shopping and socializing. And in November, the Wine Walk, a tradition since 2011, kicks off the holiday season in Smithfield the week before Thanksgiving, with residents raising a different glass of wine at participating downtown businesses.
Winter Wonders
As the holidays approach, towns pull out all the stops to celebrate. With careful planning, Triangle East residents can attend Christmas tree lightings or Christmas parades in each of its nine communities. Selma’s Rudy Theatre stages a Christmas Jubilee in November and December.
After the holidays, attention naturally turns to indoor activities, and there’s no shortage of those, either. The Rudy Theatre hosts concerts year-round, and in Smithfield, the Paul A. Johnston Auditorium and Neuse Little Theatre stage live productions, while the historic Howell Theatre (built in 1935) still screens first-run movies.
Quirky area museums include the Ava Gardner Museum in Smithfield, which chronicles the life and times of the North Carolina native and Hollywood starlet. Just next door, the Johnston County Museum, chronicles the county’s history. In Kenly, the Tobacco Farm Life Museum documents the history of early 20th-century rural North Carolina via living historians who give demos on blacksmithing, farming and woodworking.
Get to Know the Triangle East
Want to learn more about living and working in Smithfield, Selma and the Triangle East region? Check out the latest edition of Livability Triangle East, North Carolina.