
The Neuse River from the Janeiro Road and Dawson Creek area. (Photo by Allison DeWeese)
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.



SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4
Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival in the town of Oriental. Free! All Day. Read about the history of the Festival here.
Karaoke at Squidders Bait and Tackle in Vandemere. (Read about Squidders here) 7 p.m.



SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5
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, OCTOBER 6
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 September 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, 6-7 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, OCTOBER 7
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, OCTOBER 8
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.

Oct. 9
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9
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, OCTOBER 10
BINGO, Raising money for The Inn at Pamlico which will be in Bayboro, NC. It will be a safe home of recovery and re-entry for women needing a new beginning of hope. Where there is a home there is hope!!! $15 admission includes 3 cards. You can buy as many sets of cards as you want. Every set is $15 for 3 cards. Only cash or checks accepted no credit cards sorry! Delamar Center (Pamlico Community College) 5049 NC Hwy 306, Grantsboro, NC 28529. Children 12+ are welcome with adult. There will be food and drinks for sale so come hungry. Prizes for each game with a blackout game at the end. 6pm-9pm, Doors open 5:15.
The 2025 Oriental Cup Regatta is set for the weekend of Oct 10-12 out on the Neuse.The Cup continues as a cooperative effort between Oriental’s three sailing clubs: ODC, SCOO & NSA. Register at the Cup web site: orientalcupregatta.com.
The History of Sailing in Oriental is a special exhibit at Oriental’s History Museum from August 1 – October 25. Known as the Sailing Capital of North Carolina, the exhibit covers Oriental’s sailing history, sailing socials and local sailing clubs dating back to the 1960’s. There will also be “Evening at the Museum” Speaker Events for all aspects of sailing. Schedule TBA. Oriental’s History Museum is at 802 Broad Street. Hours: Friday 11-3, Saturday 1-4. Admission is always free, donations gratefully accepted. Not open during the Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival. For more information contact: [email protected].
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11
Oriental Farmers Market, by the harbor, 8-11 a.m.
The 2025 Oriental Cup Regatta is set for the weekend of Oct 10-12 out on the Neuse.The Cup continues as a cooperative effort between Oriental’s three sailing clubs: ODC, SCOO & NSA. Register at the Cup web site: orientalcupregatta.com.
The Pamlico Poker Run. Starts at Town Hall in Minnesott Beach. Drive around Pamlico County picking up cards for your hand, finally finishing at The Red Rooster / Silos in Oriental. This is a fundraiser to support the Oriental Rotary Club’s charitable missions. Check-in starts at 11:30a, the Poker Run starts at noon, awards announced at the Red Rooster / Silos at 4p. The event is open to all cars / all years.
Karaoke at Squidders Bait and Tackle in Vandemere. (Read about Squidders here) 7 p.m.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12
2nd Sunday Cinema at the Old Theater in Oriental: Beetlejuice. Free admission. Donations encouraged. Wine, water and soft drinks by donation.
2nd Sunday Cinema is sponsored by TownDock.net, 3 p.m.
The 2025 Oriental Cup Regatta is set for the weekend of Oct 10-12 out on the Neuse.The Cup continues as a cooperative effort between Oriental’s three sailing clubs: ODC, SCOO & NSA. Register at the Cup web site: orientalcupregatta.com.
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, OCTOBER 13
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 in Oriental. After reading 2 books: Life Worth Living, a Guide to What Matters Most by Volf, Croasmun and McAnnally-Linz, and Wake Up Grateful by Kristi Nelson, the book club is now focusing on topics about life and living. 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.
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, 6-7 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, OCTOBER 14
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, OCTOBER 15
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.
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.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16
PAMLICO DEMOCRATS, Meet monthly on the 3rd Thursday at the Pamlico County Heritage Center, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17





SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18
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.

The Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra performs two shows in Oriental: Sunday, Oct 19 and Monday Oct 20, 7:30p at The Old Theater.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19
The Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra performs two shows in Oriental: Sunday, Oct 19 and Monday Oct 20, 7:30p at The Old Theater.
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, OCTOBER 20
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 September meeting. 7 p.m. (bi-monthly)
The Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra performs two shows in Oriental: Sunday, Oct 19 and Monday Oct 20, 7:30p at The Old Theater.
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, 6-7 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, OCTOBER 21
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, OCTOBER 22
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, OCTOBER 23
The Pamlico News and TownDock.net are hosting a candidates’ forum on Thursday, October 23 at 6p at the Old Theater. Admission is free. All candidates are invited to take part.
PAMLICO PROGRESSIVES INDIVISIBLE, Meets monthly, on the 4th Thursday, 5:00-7: @ Silos downstairs. Join like-minded people to talk about saving democracy, your social security and your country. Come to GOOD COMPANY at Silos, downstairs, eat pizza, meet your neighbors and talk in a safe space. All party affiliations are welcome. Sponsored by Pamlico Progressives Indivisible.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24



Vision Duo comes to the River Dunes Harbor Club, Sunday October 26 at 4:30 p.m., presented by Pamlico Musical Society.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25
Oriental Farmers Market, by the harbor, 8-11 a.m.
Vision Duo comes to the River Dunes Harbor Club, Sunday October 26 at 4:30 p.m., presented by Pamlico Musical Society.
Karaoke at Squidders Bait and Tackle in Vandemere. (Read about Squidders here) 7 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


SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26
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, OCTOBER 27
Pamlico County School Board Meeting, 4th Monday of every month. Last school board meeting notes here. 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, 6-7 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, OCTOBER 28
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, OCTOBER 29
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, OCTOBER 30
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 252-249-1851 ext 3113 [email protected] 6 p.m.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31




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

Down in the County has its own Instagram page! Check us out @downinthecounty To see my work, check out my Instagram page @andreabruce
Donate and become a vital part of growing a visual and written history of the county.