/blog/ Sun, 19 Apr 2026 20:25:15 +0000 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

]]> 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

]]> A Flashback Through the History of the Heritage Center http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/a-brand-new-place-to-discover-old-stories/ http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/a-brand-new-place-to-discover-old-stories/#comments http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/a-brand-new-place-to-discover-old-stories/ Thu, 11 Apr 2024 12:00:00 -0400

We wanted to take a look back at the beginnings of the Johnston County Heritage Center as they prepare to unveil their new exhibit, "Living Under a Mushroom Cloud: The Early Cold War Years," on

]]> 38th Annual Smithfield Ham & Yam Festival is May 4 http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/annual-smithfield-ham-yam-festival-info/ http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/annual-smithfield-ham-yam-festival-info/#comments http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/annual-smithfield-ham-yam-festival-info/ Fri, 23 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0500


The Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation (DSDC) is pleased to announce the dates and preliminary details for the 38th Annual Ham & Yam Festival presented by co-sponsors Stevens Sausage and

]]> 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±¬ÁÏ’s downtown areas have locally-owned stores, great for finding that perfect gift for

]]> Museum Continues Celebration during Ava’s Birth Month http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/ava-gardner-museum-continues-celebration-during-avas-birth-month/ http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/ava-gardner-museum-continues-celebration-during-avas-birth-month/#comments http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/ava-gardner-museum-continues-celebration-during-avas-birth-month/ Fri, 18 Nov 2022 09:00:00 -0500


The Ava Gardner Festival was a huge success this past October, with over a thousand visitors attending the full weekend of events celebrating Ava’s 100th year. Fans and collectors traveled to

]]> Ava Gardner Mural & Rose Garden http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/ava-mural-brought-to-life-by-nc-artist/ http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/ava-mural-brought-to-life-by-nc-artist/#comments http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/ava-mural-brought-to-life-by-nc-artist/ Fri, 22 Apr 2022 14:00:00 -0400


The Museum is kicking off Ava’s Centennial year with the Ava Gardner Festival, October 7-9. This southern starlet will be celebrating her 100th birthday on Christmas Eve of 2022 and the museum plans

]]> Weekend with Frank and Ava http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/weekend-with-frank-and-ava/ http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/weekend-with-frank-and-ava/#comments http://www.johnstoncountync.org/blog/post/weekend-with-frank-and-ava/ Wed, 06 Sep 2017 16:00:00 -0400


On October 21st the Ava Gardner Museum in Downtown Smithfield will show two vintage movies on their 60th anniversary. Released in 1957, Frank Sinatra’s “Pal Joey”, a musical-comedy starring Rita

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