Family events in Dunn, NC

American Legion Post 116 hosts a First Friday fish fry featuring a dinner plate of fried fish with green beans, coleslaw, and hush puppies. Plates are $12, it is open to the public, and both cash and credit are accepted. Meals are available for drive-thru pickup or to enjoy inside.

At Smith Farm Goat Sanctuary, savor ice cream from Fat Cat Ice Cream, meet the rescued goats, and unwind with lawn games such as cornhole and giant checkers. Hot dogs, popcorn, chips, and a selection of drinks will be available.

Downtown Selma comes alive for the 51st annual Railroad Days, a celebration of the town’s rail heritage and vibrant community. The festival offers live performances, a wide range of food, handmade crafts and other goods, a dedicated children’s area, community displays, and activities suited to every age. Spend the day exploring the historic downtown, patronizing local businesses, and taking part in a tradition many look forward to each year. It is an opportunity to create lasting memories, honor local history, and appreciate Selma’s charm.

Running Water Powwow 2026 brings a weekend of singing, dancing, and community celebration. The gathering is open to everyone with a $10 admission and offers family friendly activities throughout. Attendees can experience Native traditions through competitive dance contests, drum groups, and cultural fellowship. The head staff includes MC JD Moore and arena director Brad Locklear, with sound by the Lumbee Tribe of NC. Tehya Maiden serves as head lady and Darian Bemo as head man, with Giuliana Raineri-Smith and Cristian Martinez as junior head lady and junior head man. Josh Gibbs is the head judge, and Scuffletown Society is the host drum. Dancer registration is organized by age groups that include Golden Age 50 and older, Adults 18 to 49, Teens 13 to 17, Juniors 6 to 12, and Tiny Tots 5 and under. Dance specials, contest schedules, and other event details will be announced.

This family-friendly 5K and community gathering encourages healthier bodies, smarter money habits, and stronger futures. Hosted by Money Box Academy, it welcomes runners and walkers of every level, from first-timers and families to competitive athletes. Participants may race for time, take it easy at their own pace, or show support for a mission that benefits Fayetteville and surrounding communities. The plan is to provide timing and recognize the first three finishers, while everyone else is free to move in the way that suits them best. Beyond the course, there will be kid-friendly activities, music, vendors, and plenty of community fun. Proceeds benefit Money Box Academy programs that offer free financial literacy education for youth, families, seniors, and small business owners.

Pawfect Match teams up with the US Dog Coalition for a fun community gathering where guests can meet adorable pets and possibly find a new furry companion.

Duke Regional Hospital marks five decades of caring for the community with Duke Regional Cares Community Day at Durham County Memorial Stadium. This free, family-friendly celebration features live entertainment, food trucks, health screenings, games, and activities for all ages. It offers a chance to recognize the hospital’s legacy of service while enjoying an afternoon of community fun. Registration is encouraged but not required. The celebration honors 50 years of service, partnership, and care.

Take a walk through downtown Fayetteville and follow its story from the 1700s to today. Discover market houses, early residences, and long-standing commercial buildings, along with other highlights that showcase the city’s place in North Carolina history.

A presentation at the Southern School of Energy and Sustainability brings Dr. Temple Grandin to educators, parents, therapists, and caregivers. She will highlight the value of structured schedules and share practical ways to support autistic individuals with classroom tasks. The program addresses workable approaches for job seeking, volunteer roles, tutoring, and test taking. Participants can expect to explore the main styles of thinking and the strengths each offers, the benefits of collaborative problem solving, why checklists can be powerful tools, the importance of mentorship, how artificial intelligence may shape career paths for autistic people, and strategies for recognizing and managing fear. Dr. Grandin holds a PhD in Animal Science from the University of Illinois and is a professor at Colorado State University. She is internationally known for helping families and professionals through her global presentations and is the author of Autism: The Way I See It, Different, Not Less, Visual Thinking, and The Outdoor Scientist. Her work transformed animal movement systems and advanced the welfare of agricultural animals, and her portrait is included in the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. Continuing education credits are available.

Bingo Night gets a playful twist with friendly goats as the cutest companions around. Expect laughter, excitement, and high energy bingo play alongside these charming animals. A lighthearted way to enjoy the game that promises a night to remember.

Experience a personalized tour of Tony and Anita Avent’s private home garden, affectionately known as Anita’s Garden. Spanning four acres, it is the largest garden section at JLBG and is usually closed to the public to preserve the Avents’ privacy, making this a rare opportunity to see it firsthand. Tony crafted the design to reflect Anita’s taste for sweeping drifts of plants and a cleaner, less wild look. The garden earned national recognition with the 2024 Perennial Plant Association Award of Merit. Situated next to Plant Delights Nursery and Juniper Level Botanic Garden, it offers a behind the scenes view of the broader horticultural setting. JLBG members receive a 50 percent discount.

Open to the public and designed for all ages, this annual National Night Out gathering at Treyburn Country Club in Durham brings neighbors together with local police and first responders to build better communication. Highlights include food, live music from String Break, squad car and other emergency vehicle displays, and activities for children.

This six week childbirth class uses a flipped classroom approach, blending self paced video lessons at home with in person small group discussions and hands on practice. Led by two experienced perinatal professionals, the series focuses on the most current, evidence based information so participants can make informed and confident choices. Registration covers the birthing person plus a support person. Attendees receive three months of access to Evidence Based Birth class videos and bonus newborn care content. A comprehensive workbook is included to support pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. Participants also gain access to a full library of PDFs and videos that present research on essential topics such as eating and drinking during labor, vitamin K, due dates, and more.