/blog/ Sun, 19 Apr 2026 10:38:15 +0000 Meet Local Ghost Legends in Smithfield Oct. 30th http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/meet-local-ghost-legends-in-smithfield/ http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/meet-local-ghost-legends-in-smithfield/#comments http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/meet-local-ghost-legends-in-smithfield/ Fri, 10 Oct 2025 12:00:00 -0400


The Johnston County Heritage Center will stage its 21st annual Ghost Walk on Thursday, October 30, in Smithfield’s historic Riverside Cemetery.

Beginning at 6 pm, five personalities from colonial

]]> Don't Miss Smithfield Restaurant Week http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/dont-miss-smithfield-restaurant-week/ http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/dont-miss-smithfield-restaurant-week/#comments http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/dont-miss-smithfield-restaurant-week/ Fri, 03 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -0400


is happening October 12th–25th; it’s a two-week celebration of the area’s dining scene and features restaurants both downtown and in the greater Smithfield area. The event

]]> Fall in Downtown Smithfield: Music, Markets, and Community Fun http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/fall-in-downtown-smithfield-music-markets-and-community-fun/ http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/fall-in-downtown-smithfield-music-markets-and-community-fun/#comments http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/fall-in-downtown-smithfield-music-markets-and-community-fun/ Fri, 22 Aug 2025 11:00:00 -0400


Downtown Smithfield is the place to be this fall! With crisp air rolling in and leaves turning golden along the Neuse River, the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation and the Town of Smithfield

]]> Smithfield's River Rat Regatta will be Aug. 9th! http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/smithfield-river-rat-regatta-cardboard-boat-race/ http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/smithfield-river-rat-regatta-cardboard-boat-race/#comments http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/smithfield-river-rat-regatta-cardboard-boat-race/ Thu, 31 Jul 2025 09:00:00 -0400


The "Smithfield Yacht Club" will open once again for the River Rat Regatta on the Neuse on Saturday, August 9th at 10:00 a.m. The event will feature a race between 2-person teams in cardboard boats

]]> Walk & Talk About Trails in 911±¬ΑΟ http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/walk-talk-about-trails-in-joco/ http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/walk-talk-about-trails-in-joco/#comments http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/walk-talk-about-trails-in-joco/ Fri, 21 Feb 2025 09:00:00 -0500


The public is invited to attend a regarding trails, parks, and open spaces in Johnston County. Come out to Deep River Brewing on Thursday, February 27th from 4:00-7:00 pm in

]]> A New Director & Direction for DSDC http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/a-new-director-direction-for-dsdc/ http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/a-new-director-direction-for-dsdc/#comments http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/a-new-director-direction-for-dsdc/ Thu, 26 Sep 2024 12:00:00 -0400


The Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation (DSDC) has a new Executive Director and a new direction towards the future. I recently sat down with Heidi Gilmond to discuss what brought her to

]]> Reclaiming the Black Past: An Artifactual Journey http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/reclaiming-the-black-past-an-artifactual-journey/ http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/reclaiming-the-black-past-an-artifactual-journey/#comments http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/reclaiming-the-black-past-an-artifactual-journey/ Fri, 28 Jul 2023 14:00:00 -0400


The Johnston County Heritage Center is hosting a special Black History event this fall highlighting stories, places, and artifacts from Johnston County and beyond. “Reclaiming the Black Past: An

]]> The final "Toast to Ava" Centennial Event http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/the-final-toast-to-ava-centennial-event/ http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/the-final-toast-to-ava-centennial-event/#comments http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/the-final-toast-to-ava-centennial-event/ Fri, 30 Jun 2023 11:00:00 -0400


The Ava Gardner Museum has hosted a year-long Centennial celebration in honor of the legendary actress, fashion icon, and humanitarian Ava Gardner, a North Carolina native who grew up just 7-miles

]]> Smithfield has a Brand-new Amphitheater http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/smithfield-has-a-brand-new-amphitheater/ http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/smithfield-has-a-brand-new-amphitheater/#comments http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/smithfield-has-a-brand-new-amphitheater/ Fri, 09 Jun 2023 11:00:00 -0400


Smithfield’s Neuse River Amphitheater remodel project was completed just in time for May’s Ham & Yam Festival this year. Celebrated with a community-attended ribbon-cutting ceremony, free concert,

]]> Shop Small for the Holidays in Downtown Smithfield http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/shop-small-for-the-holidays-in-downtown-smithfield/ http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/shop-small-for-the-holidays-in-downtown-smithfield/#comments http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/shop-small-for-the-holidays-in-downtown-smithfield/ Wed, 23 Nov 2022 09:00:00 -0500


‘Tis the Season for gifts and shopping; you know what they say: it’s better to give than to receive. Many of 911±¬ΑΟ’s downtown areas have locally-owned stores, great for finding that perfect gift for

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