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  • July 2025 Events, Resources and Volunteer Opportunities in Pamlico County, NC

July 2025 Events, Resources and Volunteer Opportunities in Pamlico County, NC

Pamlico County shrimpers celebrated a victory after House Bill 442 was officially killed in the North Carolina House. The controversial bill, which was recently amended to ban trawling near the coast, was scrapped following a fierce debate among House members. (Photo by Andrea Bruce)

Take a look through our calendar of events sourced from every corner of Pamlico County…enough to keep you busy for sure. Also, at the bottom of this long page is an important list of resources and volunteer opportunities. If you have something to include or see a needed correction, please email: [email protected]

You make Down in the County happen.

TUESDAY, JULY 1

Pamlico Community Band rehearses every Tuesday at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church. For more information contact Chris Mele at 252-626-6928. St. Peter is at 1149 White Farm Road in Oriental, 7-8:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 2

Open Mic Night at the Silos in Oriental. The music begins at 7 p.m.

Wednesday Night Sail Race on the Neuse near Oriental. Boats rendezvous at Oriental Marker #1SC on each Wednesday for a relatively carefree race around the government marks. Just show up. The race does the “normal” US Sailing countdown. Just like a real race. This allows those new to racing an opportunity to learn and practice the start sequence. Social at the Tiki Bar after the race. Questions? Contact Joe Valinoti – [email protected]. The race starts at 1700 GPS time.

THURSDAY, JULY 3

Treasure Hunt at the Oriental Recreational Complex, 130 Straight Rd., Oriental. Children (12 & under) are invited to hunt for these in the Sandbox at the Oriental Recreation Park (behind the Fire Station off Straight Road). Blackbeard and his mighty pirate crew. Brought to you by Oriental Parks & Recreation Board, Pamlico Arts Council, and Oriental Commissioner Bonnie Crosser, 10 am

Open jam session at Pamlico Community College, the first and fifth Thursday of every month. It’s open to all. At the PCC Delamar Center Auditorium. PCC is on Hwy 306 between Grantsboro and Arapahoe. All levels welcome. For more info, contact Denise McDermott 252-249-1851 ext 3113 [email protected]. 6 p.m.

FRIDAY, JULY 4 Independence Day

Croakerfest 2025. Oriental celebrates the July 4 weekend by closing down village roads and setting up the Croaker Festival. Events include a baking contest, Miss Minnow and Croaker Queen Pageants, The Croaker Festival Parade (Saturday 10 am), The Marine Corps Band, Coloring Contest for the kids, Croaker Regatta, Fireworks from the Oriental Bridge (Saturday about 9 pm)

Noah Jackson Cobb performs at The New Village Brewery in Oriental, 5 p.m.

Pamlico County Public Library Book/Tech Mobile Visits Oriental at the Piggly Wiggly, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, Arapahoe Town Hall, 2 p.m.-4 p.m.

SATURDAY, JULY 5

Croakerfest 2025. Oriental celebrates the July 4 weekend by closing down village roads and setting up the Croaker Festival. Events include a baking contest, Miss Minnow and Croaker Queen Pageants, The Croaker Festival Parade (Saturday 10 am), The Marine Corps Band, Coloring Contest for the kids, Croaker Regatta, Fireworks from the Oriental Bridge (Saturday about 9 pm)

Mad Fiddler performs at The New Village Brewery in Oriental, 5:45 p.m.

Oriental Farmers Market, by the harbor, 8-11 a.m.

Karaoke at Squidders Bait and Tackle in Vandemere. (Read about Squidders here) 7 p.m.

SUNDAY, JULY 6

Sunday Funday Trivia with Emily at The New Village Brewery in Oriental, 2 p.m.

Oriental’s Drummin’ Dragons get together every Sunday afternoon. You’ll find them in Lou Mac Park in Oriental on Sunday afternoons in summer, weather permitting. In inclement weather, they gather at the Oriental United Methodist Fellowship Hall (and possibly for the winter). All are invited – come on by and learn to drum. (They have some spare drums for you to try.) Have questions before you go? Contact Doug Carmichael at [email protected], 3-4:30 p.m.

MONDAY, JULY 7

Pamlico County Board of Commissioners meeting, The meeting is in the Patsy Sadler Room in the Courthouse Annex. If there is a larger crowd, the meetings are held in the second floor courtroom. The courthouse is at 202 Main Street, Bayboro, NC 28515. Here are notes from the last June meeting.  7 p.m. (bi-monthly)

Open Sailing with Bow To Stern every Monday in Oriental. Bow to Stern invites you to come sailing on their fleet of Cape Dory Typhoons. Afterwards, hang out with everyone at the fire pit and watch the sun set over the creeks. Let them know you’re coming by registering here. $25 per sailor for the evening. Call 252-249-2424 or email for more information [email protected]. Bow To Stern is at 290 Blackwell Point Loop Rd – for directions click here, 3 and 5 p.m.

The Pamlico Chorale meets every Monday, 4 – 5:30 pm at The Oriental United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. The Chorale performs in concert at least four times a year, including Spirit of Christmas weekend and opening the Croaker Festival.

TUESDAY, JULY 8

Oriental Town Commissioners meeting, Town Hall. Second Tuesday of every month. Open to the public, 6 p.m.

Pamlico Community Band rehearses every Tuesday at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church. For more information contact Chris Mele at 252-626-6928. St. Peter is at 1149 White Farm Road in Oriental, 7-8:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 9

The Pamlico County Library hosts a mystery book club the second Wednesday of each month. Each month a novel selected from the winners of the annual Edgar Awards will be discussed. For more info please contact the library at 252-745-3515. Pamlico County Library is located in Bayboro, 5 p.m.

Open Mic Night at the Silos in Oriental. The music begins at 7 p.m.

Wednesday Night Sail Race on the Neuse near Oriental. Boats rendezvous at Oriental Marker #1SC on each Wednesday for a relatively carefree race around the government marks. Just show up. The race does the “normal” US Sailing countdown. Just like a real race. This allows those new to racing an opportunity to learn and practice the start sequence. Social at the Tiki Bar after the race. Questions? Contact Joe Valinoti – [email protected]. The race starts at 1700 GPS time.

July 10

THURSDAY, JULY 10

The Gathering, at The Bean in Oriental. You’re invited to check out The Gathering – a new group sponsored by Oriental United Methodist Church to make space for community and conversation in a non-traditional setting. Call 252-249-0213 or email [email protected]. 6 p.m.

FRIDAY, JULY 11

Big Jim Kohler Blues Band performs at The New Village Brewery in Oriental, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY, JULY 12

Oriental Farmers Market, by the harbor, 8-11 a.m.

Ken Belangia performs at The New Village Brewery in Oriental, 6 p.m.

Karaoke at Squidders Bait and Tackle in Vandemere. (Read about Squidders here) 7 p.m.

SUNDAY, JULY 13

Oriental’s Drummin’ Dragons get together every Sunday afternoon. You’ll find them in Lou Mac Park in Oriental on Sunday afternoons in summer, weather permitting. In inclement weather, they gather at the Oriental United Methodist Fellowship Hall (and possibly for the winter). All are invited – come on by and learn to drum. (They have some spare drums for you to try.) Have questions before you go? Contact Doug Carmichael at [email protected], 3-4:30 p.m.

MONDAY, JULY 14

NAACP monthly meeting, Senior Service Building in Alliance, 6 p.m.

The One-Off Book Club meets the 2nd Monday of every month, at the Perry Griffin Foundation House. Nelda Coats and Nancy Piner invite you to join them. The topic is emailed to participants each month in advance, but it’s not necessary to prepare in order to attend. New attendees are most welcome. If you have any questions, contact Nelda Coats 252-639-1616 or Nancy Piner 252-670-2615, or just show up at the Perry Griffin Foundation House, 300 High Street, Oriental. 4 p.m.

Youth Group at the Oriental United Methodist Church in the fellowship hall, 5:30-7 p.m.

Open Sailing with Bow To Stern every Monday in Oriental. Bow to Stern invites you to come sailing on their fleet of Cape Dory Typhoons. Afterwards, hang out with everyone at the fire pit and watch the sun set over the creeks. Let them know you’re coming by registering here. $25 per sailor for the evening. Call 252-249-2424 or email for more information [email protected]. Bow To Stern is at 290 Blackwell Point Loop Rd – for directions click here, 3 and 5 p.m.

The Pamlico Chorale meets every Monday, 4 – 5:30 pm at The Oriental United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. The Chorale performs in concert at least four times a year, including Spirit of Christmas weekend and opening the Croaker Festival.

TUESDAY, JULY 15

Pamlico Community Band rehearses every Tuesday at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church. For more information contact Chris Mele at 252-626-6928. St. Peter is at 1149 White Farm Road in Oriental, 7-8:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 16

Open Mic Night at the Silos in Oriental. The music begins at 7 p.m.

Wednesday Night Sail Race on the Neuse near Oriental. Boats rendezvous at Oriental Marker #1SC on each Wednesday for a relatively carefree race around the government marks. Just show up. The race does the “normal” US Sailing countdown. Just like a real race. This allows those new to racing an opportunity to learn and practice the start sequence. Social at the Tiki Bar after the race. Questions? Contact Joe Valinoti – [email protected]. The race starts at 1700 GPS time.

THURSDAY, JULY 17

FRIDAY, JULY 18

Hoff’n’Finch performs at The New Village Brewery in Oriental, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY, JULY 19

NYRA’s (Neuse Yacht Racing Association) annual FREE race/cruise/party is the Parrothead Regatta sailing down the Neuse from New Bern to Oriental. It includes water cannons, pistols, and balloons. Inter-boat attacks are permitted and encouraged. The race starts at Marker #17 (across from Fairfield Harbour). Race ends at Oriental. Free social for all racers after. Find out more about NYRA and the Parrothead Regatta here.

Oriental Farmers Market, by the harbor, 8-11 a.m.

The Stagger Brothers performs at The New Village Brewery in Oriental, 6 p.m.

Karaoke at Squidders Bait and Tackle in Vandemere. (Read about Squidders here) 7 p.m.

SUNDAY, JULY 20

Oriental’s Drummin’ Dragons get together every Sunday afternoon. You’ll find them in Lou Mac Park in Oriental on Sunday afternoons in summer, weather permitting. In inclement weather, they gather at the Oriental United Methodist Fellowship Hall (and possibly for the winter). All are invited – come on by and learn to drum. (They have some spare drums for you to try.) Have questions before you go? Contact Doug Carmichael at [email protected], 3-4:30 p.m.

MONDAY, JULY 21

Pamlico County Board of Commissioners meeting, The meeting is in the Patsy Sadler Room in the Courthouse Annex. If there is a larger crowd, the meetings are held in the second floor courtroom. The courthouse is at 202 Main Street, Bayboro, NC 28515. Here are notes from the last June meeting.  7 p.m. (bi-monthly)

Open Sailing with Bow To Stern every Monday in Oriental. Bow to Stern invites you to come sailing on their fleet of Cape Dory Typhoons. Afterwards, hang out with everyone at the fire pit and watch the sun set over the creeks. Let them know you’re coming by registering here. $25 per sailor for the evening. Call 252-249-2424 or email for more information [email protected]. Bow To Stern is at 290 Blackwell Point Loop Rd – for directions click here, 3 and 5 p.m.

The Pamlico Chorale meets every Monday, 4 – 5:30 pm at The Oriental United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. The Chorale performs in concert at least four times a year, including Spirit of Christmas weekend and opening the Croaker Festival.

TUESDAY, JULY 22

Pamlico Community Band rehearses every Tuesday at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church. For more information contact Chris Mele at 252-626-6928. St. Peter is at 1149 White Farm Road in Oriental, 7-8:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 23

Open Mic Night at the Silos in Oriental. The music begins at 7 p.m.

Wednesday Night Sail Race on the Neuse near Oriental. Boats rendezvous at Oriental Marker #1SC on each Wednesday for a relatively carefree race around the government marks. Just show up. The race does the “normal” US Sailing countdown. Just like a real race. This allows those new to racing an opportunity to learn and practice the start sequence. Social at the Tiki Bar after the race. Questions? Contact Joe Valinoti – [email protected]. The race starts at 1700 GPS time.

THURSDAY, JULY 24

FRIDAY, JULY 25

SATURDAY, JULY 26

TerraTones performs at The New Village Brewery in Oriental, 6 p.m.

Pamlico Support Group of Autism Society of NC - Monthly Meeting. The Pamlico Support Group of Autism Society of NC and the Pamlico County Library are working together to provide monthly support meetings to those with autism and their family members. 11am – 12:30pm

Oriental Farmers Market, by the harbor, 8-11 a.m.

Karaoke at Squidders Bait and Tackle in Vandemere. (Read about Squidders here) 7 p.m.

SUNDAY, JULY 27

Oriental’s Drummin’ Dragons get together every Sunday afternoon. You’ll find them in Lou Mac Park in Oriental on Sunday afternoons in summer, weather permitting. In inclement weather, they gather at the Oriental United Methodist Fellowship Hall (and possibly for the winter). All are invited – come on by and learn to drum. (They have some spare drums for you to try.) Have questions before you go? Contact Doug Carmichael at [email protected], 3-4:30 p.m.

MONDAY, JULY 28

Pamlico County School Board Meeting, 4th Monday of every month. 6 p.m.

Open Sailing with Bow To Stern every Monday in Oriental. Bow to Stern invites you to come sailing on their fleet of Cape Dory Typhoons. Afterwards, hang out with everyone at the fire pit and watch the sun set over the creeks. Let them know you’re coming by registering here. $25 per sailor for the evening. Call 252-249-2424 or email for more information [email protected]. Bow To Stern is at 290 Blackwell Point Loop Rd – for directions click here, 3 and 5 p.m.

The Pamlico Chorale meets every Monday, 4 – 5:30 pm at The Oriental United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. The Chorale performs in concert at least four times a year, including Spirit of Christmas weekend and opening the Croaker Festival.

TUESDAY, JULY 29

Pamlico Community Band rehearses every Tuesday at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church. For more information contact Chris Mele at 252-626-6928. St. Peter is at 1149 White Farm Road in Oriental, 7-8:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 30

Open Mic Night at the Silos in Oriental. The music begins at 7 p.m.

Wednesday Night Sail Race on the Neuse near Oriental. Boats rendezvous at Oriental Marker #1SC on each Wednesday for a relatively carefree race around the government marks. Just show up. The race does the “normal” US Sailing countdown. Just like a real race. This allows those new to racing an opportunity to learn and practice the start sequence. Social at the Tiki Bar after the race. Questions? Contact Joe Valinoti – [email protected]. The race starts at 1700 GPS time.

THURSDAY, JULY 31

Open jam session at Pamlico Community College, the first and fifth Thursday of every month. It’s open to all. At the PCC Delamar Center Auditorium. PCC is on Hwy 306 between Grantsboro and Arapahoe. All levels welcome. For more info, contact Denise McDermott 252-249-1851 ext 3113 [email protected]. 6 p.m.

RESOURCES

People living with Parkinson’s Disease in and around Pamlico County now have a support group. Pamlico Parkinson’s Network provides a place to talk, as well as learn what those with PD can do – and what’s being done – to deal with the still-incurable condition. PPN meetings are open not only to people with Parkinson’s but also to those who care for – and about them. For more info, contact Dave at [email protected], Kim at 670-8987

The Pamlico Progressives are a concerned group of citizens who seek to bring about change by focusing on issues that affect our community and by holding elected officials accountable. They seek to let our collective voices be heard to influence positive change. They meet as needed. All are welcome to join them. For more information, follow them on Facebook or call Diane Lemieux at 802-318-1083

Alcoholics Anonymous meets throughout the week at several locations in the area: At Oriental Free Will Baptist Church at 600 Ragan Road in Oriental, Tuesdays at 8p, and again Friday nights at 8p. (2nd brick building on the left).

At Alliance United Methodist Church at 687 Main Street in Bayboro, Thursday at 7:30 pm. (a great meeting for new members).

At St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 402 Freemason Street in Oriental, Sunday at 7 p.m.

“If you want to drink, that’s your business… If you want to stop drinking, that’s ours.” Alcoholics Anonymous New Bern Hotline:(252) 633-3716

Al-Anon – for those worried about someone with a drinking problem – meets Tuesday at 7 p.m. at 403 Mildred Street in Oriental. It is open to all.

Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA) – At Oriental Free Will Baptist Church at 600 Ragan Road in Oriental (2nd brick building on left). Open Meeting Tuesdays from 6:30-6:70 p.m. Women’s Group Saturday 6:30p.

Narcotics Anonymous – A group atmosphere which provides help from peers, and offers an on-going support network for addicts who wish to pursue and maintain a drug-free lifestyle. Never Alone – meets Wednesday at 7 pm. at Alliance United Methodist Church, 687 Main Street in Bayboro.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

*The Neuse Neighbors Network (NNN) needs you. NNN is a not-for-profit, all volunteer organization dedicated to helping local seniors age in place. NNN volunteers choose the type and timing of the tasks they can help with. There are no fixed commitments and you can meet new people. For more information on volunteering or becoming a member, call 252-665-8807 or email [email protected]

*Vennie Himbry is looking for land or a building to be donated to her non-profit called the Bayboro Development Center to help people who have been incarcerated in the county get back on their feet. Contact Vennie at [email protected]

*Pamlico County Senior Services needs more volunteers to help build handicap access ramps at the homes of some of Pamlico’s older residents. Senior Services provides the materials while volunteers construct one ramp every month. Contact Tom Newman at 252-671-4811 to offer a hand for the next project.

*Pamlico County Fishes And Loaves is collecting canned goods and has a drop-off point inside First Citizens Bank in Oriental. Fishes and Loaves is a cooperative effort of a number of churches and organizations in Pamlico County working to provide food to the hungry.

*Horses of Pamlico is looking for volunteers to visit the horses or help with farm repairs. They would like to have regular volunteers who can commit to at least one day a week. No experience with horses necessary. Must sign a waver. Text Sharon Vandiford for more information, 252-474-7838

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