FALL ACTIVITIES
Pumpkin spice has nothing on Goldsboro-Wayne County. If you want to experience those dreamy fall hayrides, pumpkin picking, ghost tours and more, Goldsboro-Wayne County is your autumnal destination. So don’t settle, fall in love with fall!
SEASONAL EVENTS
Nothing marks the season better than events that only come around during Fall! Gather around the fire and let us tell you the tale of crisp fall afternoons, fried fair food, drive-in movies and memories that will truly last a lifetime.
CRAFT BEER & SEASONAL CUISINE
Celebrate the harvest season! Goldsboro-Wayne County is home to fresh produce, delicious barbecue, and a “hopping” craft beer scene. What a better way to warm yourself up then with craft beer brewed right here in Wayne County?
SEPTEMBER 25th
Mark your calendars and experience the joy of fresh seasonal produce, handmade crafts and much more at the Farm Credit Farmers Market Fall Festival. Featuring displays of antique farm equipment, wagon rides, food trucks and baked goods by Mickey’s Pastry Shop.
Celebrate the start of the fall season with the Farm Credit Farmers Market as they roll out the red carpet for autumn. Shop for seasonal produce and flowers from local farms, enjoy artisans crafts, decorate pumpkins and hitch a ride on a wagon! Don’t miss out on this one-day only fall festival event.
SEPTEMBER 25th – NOVEMBER 7th
What’s a better way to enjoy fall than actually spending it having fun on the farm? Check out Odom Farming Company and enjoy their yearly Fall Fun on the Farm. Explore their river trail, hay bale maze, Friday night bonfires and their locally famous Punkin’ Chunkin’ events.
Who can say no to fall on the farm? Odom Farming Company is known for having unique events throughout the seasons, but their Fall events are definitely one of our favorites. Spend time with the Pasture Gang (their adorable farm animals), pick some pumpkins, go on a hayride, play a variety of games, and truly just immerse yourself in everything that the Fall season has to offer. You truly cannot go wrong by heading over to Odom Farms!
SEPTEMBER 30th – NOVEMBER 11th
Family-fun is happening in Downtown Goldsboro with their Fall Movie Nights at the Hub and best of all…it’s free! Grab a blanket, a chair and bring the whole family along and enjoy family-friendly films while digging into some free popcorn or snow cones.
If you’re tired of the usual fall activities, Downtown Goldsboro’s Fall Movie Nights are a breath of fresh air (literally, because you’re sitting outside on a beautiful fall night!) for family nights, friends night out, or a date with your significant other. All fall long catch a flick!
SEPTEMBER 30th – OCTOBER 9TH
Experience the magic and heritage of the harvest season at the
Wayne County Regional Agricultural Fair and
enjoy rides, classic fair foods, and support local artisans and farmers that make the season.
For over 72 years the Wayne County Regional Agricultural Fair has been delighting residents and visitors with its seasonal charm. Feel like a child again, or have the chance to experience the fall season through the eyes of your own children as you enjoy the sights from the ferris wheel, eat some finger-licking good food, and explore the agricultural heritage of Goldsboro-Wayne County through local vendors, shows and more!
OCTOBER 1st – NOVEMBER 13th
Discover the dark and haunted past life of buildings in
Downtown Goldsboro and uncover a history of war, death and spirits at the
Goldsborough Bridge Battlefield on a Totally Fly Ghost Tour.
Come get spooky with us in Goldsboro-Wayne County by taking one of our yearly ghost tours! Led by a paranormal investigator, you’ll learn of the haunting past of some of Downtown Goldsboro’s homes and buildings, or explore the horrors of war and death at the site where many lost their lives during a Civil War battle. Walk through the spirit realm with us, just don’t get lost in the dark…
OCTOBER 1st – OCTOBER 31st
Check out Hood Swamp Corn Maze the local fall treasure that has been a community staple since 2017. Enjoy this family-run farm’s hay rides and large corn maze that will have you lost for a bit this Fall.
Get lost! No, no, not like that, at the corn maze, silly! Hood Swamp Corn Maze is a family-run farm that has been in the family for the past five generations. In the Fall of 2017, the Park family began the Hood Swamp Corn Maze and it has become a staple fall activity in Goldsboro-Wayne County ever since then. So grab a map, find your way to Goldsboro-Wayne County and get yourself lost at the Hood Swamp Corn Maze.
OCTOBER 1st – OCTOBER 30th
If you’re someone who enjoys music, film and performing arts, then you have to check out the Paramount Theatre this Fall. From their Performing Arts Series to a special double feature film night for Halloween, you won’t want to miss out on the fun.
The Paramount Theatre’s Performing Arts Series is a must-see for anyone who love theatre, live music, stand-up comedy and much more! Come inside from the brisk fall night and enjoy a performance at one of the most unique and artistic buildings in Downtown Goldsboro.
OCTOBER 30th
The Wayne County Museum presents its inaugural Fall event, Tombstones & Tales: A Walk Through Willowdale, featuring a walking tour through the historic Willowdale Cemetery where guests will learn more about its notable residents. This historically accurate, family-friendly event is one that you just can’t miss this season.
The Wayne County Museum is excited to present this feature walking tour through historic Willowdale Cemetery, whose residents are truly notable. Portrayed by some of Goldsboro-Wayne County’s most talented actors, you will learn historically accurate information about the histories of these notable and unique historic figures. Don’t forgot to attend the reception, featuring mourning displays at the museum before and after the tours!
NOVEMBER 20th
Coming to Mount Olive, NC this Fall, experience the inaugural event of Pickles, Pigs and Swigs. This festival will include Wayne County’s iconic top three of brews, barbecue and pickles partnered with live music, vendors and more. This is an event you just don’t want to miss!
How can you pass up the opportunity to eat, drink and enjoy all the offerings that Wayne County has to offer? Pickles, Pigs and Swigs is a new event created by the NC Pickle Fest team (one of North Carolina’s most unique festivals) to celebrate the Fall season in true Mount Olive fashion, with pickles! Don’t miss out on the live music, vendors, craft beer, barbecue, and the iconic Mt. Olive Pickle Company’s world renown pickles.
WHAT’S ON THE MENU?
Fall isn’t just about Halloween, it’s also about hitting that caloric ceiling…you know, for hibernation!
Check out what’s on the menu in Goldsboro-Wayne County to give you all the fall feels this season.
R & R Brewing
Visit Wayne County’s first microbrewery and get cozy on their outdoor patio with a craft beer! Food trucks, live music, trivia night and music bingo can be enjoyed on Fridays and Saturdays. Here’s a tip: Try the pickle beer! When your home is Mount Olive, NC how can you not have pickle beer as an option?
Goldsboro Brew Works
Not only does Goldsboro Brew Works have their combination taproom, bottle shop and barcade in Downtown Goldsboro, but they also have their own microbrewery called the GBW Filling Station with hours coming soon! You can also catch live music and a variety of food trucks here throughout the week.
Well Travelled Beer
If you’re down for brews on tap, a huge selection of craft beer to purchase then Well Travelled Beer is the place for you. Did we mention they also have Metal Midnight where they rock out to metal? Or Gold City Video, a VHS and 80’s and 90’s game console pop-up shop that gives you those throwback vibes.
Barrique
This upscale, yet laid back restaurant and lounge is not only a great place to get a meal, but they’re also a great place to try dishes with seasonal local produce. Check out their menu every week and get a taste of local flavor with their meats and produce.
Bread of Heaven Bakery
This restaurant and bakery is the perfect place to pile on the food! It’s never too early to eat as much as you would on Thanksgiving. Enjoy their large helpings of down-home Southern cooking and don’t forget to help yourself to massive piece of their cakes.
Wilber’s Barbecue
What’s more autumnal than that whole-hog, pit-smoked barbecue experience? Wilber’s iconic barbecue is known throughout the world and it’s definitely a must-try place any and every Fall season. Don’t forget to dip those hushpuppies in the chicken gravy!
Pink Piggy Sweets
Looking for some of the best carrot cake you’ll ever try? Head on over to Pink Piggy Sweets whose organic baked goods not only use local ingredients, but are also vegan and vegetarian friendly! Grab yourself anything from here and we guarantee it will be good!
Mickey’s Pastry Shop
There’s no name more iconic for sweets and treats in Goldsboro-Wayne County than Mickey’s. From pies to sticky buns, cakes to petit fours, they have everything your heart desires. Here’s a tip: Their cheesecake uses local goat cheese from Holly Grove Farms!
Funky Fresh Donuts
There’s nothing better than a warm drink and a donut on a cool day, sitting by a fire. Get an experience at Funky Fresh Donuts and take a bite out of one of their many artisan donuts ranging from Orange Creamsicle to Cheesecake, to a Fruity Pebbles flavor.
Gypsy Bean Coffee Shop
Sit back and relax as you take in the aromas of fresh brewed coffee, baked goods and take in the beautiful view of historic downtown Goldsboro. Supporting local bakeries, you can find sweet treats here too!
The Java Hut & Creamery
Featuring North Carolina’s own Simply Natural Creamery, The Java Hut & Creamery serves up ice cream, cappuccinos, frappes, milkshakes, snacks and more. It’s never too late for coffee or too late in the season for ice cream.
Southern Grounds Coffee Shop
Take a trip to Mount Olive’s Southern Grounds Coffee Shop and enjoy your selection of coffee, smoothies, speciality drinks and more. There’s no rest for someone trying to experience fall, so caffeinate it up!
CHECK OUT THE FULL TOTALLY FLY MENU
QUICK TIPS FOR FALL TRIPS
Want some quick fall activities? Check out these quick tips for fall trips that you can do by yourself, with family or with friends.
.1
Take in the fall air with a picnic at the charles b. aycock birthplace historic site
.2
ENJOY THE CHANGING OF THE LEAVES AT THE CLIFFS OF THE NEUSE STATE PARK
.3
FIND SEASONAL GIFTS, APPAREL AND MORE BY SHOPPING IN DOWNTOWN GOLDSBORO
.4
TAKE IN A HISTORY WALK AT THE WAYNE COUNTY MUSEUM OR IN MOUNT OLIVE’S HISTORIC DISTRICT
.5
PICK UP SOME FARM FRESH PRODUCTS AT THE FARM CREDIT FARMERS MARKET
.6
GRAB YOURSELF A FEW PUMPKINS FOR THE ROAD AT the ELROY FARMS MARKET
.7
GO TO DOWNTOWN GOLDSBORO’S INSTALLATION OF NEW PUBLIC ART WORKS ON OCTOBER 15TH, 2021
.8
KICK SOME AXE AT WHOOPAXE THROWING LODGE WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY
.9
CHECK OUT THE ARTS COUNCIL OF WAYNE COUNTY’S SECOND SATURDAY VENDOR MARKETS
.10
paddle OR KAYAK down the wayne county paddle trails FOR STELLAR VIEWS OF FALL
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- R & R Brewing in Mount Olive
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- Wayne County Veterans Memorial Park
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- Barrique
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- Wilber’s BBQ
