🐝 Something New Is Coming…

Clayton Buzz has been growing — and so has the area we cover.

So, we're getting ready for a change that better reflects the communities and people you read about here every week.

Same local focus. Same Buzz. Just a little bigger.

Watch for the big announcement in next week's newsletter! 🐝

If you're looking for a spooky evening out this fall, Clayton Ghost Walks offers a one-hour guided tour through the haunted history of downtown Clayton, North Carolina.

Described as "a sixty-minute descent into the forgotten shadows," the walk uncovers stories that, as the organizers put it, refuse to stay buried. Guests meet at the back of Horne Square on the railroad side — and are encouraged to arrive a few minutes early.

Tickets are $15 per person, though the September 5, 2026 date shown is currently sold out. Keep an eye out for future dates if you dare.

Spellers, assemble. The Johnston County Education Foundation is hosting an Adult Spelling Bee, and it's your chance to prove those grade-school championship dreams weren't wasted.

Grab a team, dust off your dictionary, and prepare for a night of friendly competition, laughs, and serious bragging rights. Registration is open for teams, with tickets also available for those who'd rather cheer from the sidelines.

Triangle Adventures is rolling out something new for its 2026 season: AI-powered digital video that brings historical figures to life in their own voices, making an already immersive e-bike tour even more unforgettable.

Starting in Clayton, NC, the guided adventure covers roughly 13 miles over three to four hours, winding through local history, the scenic NC Mountains to Sea Trail, and stories spanning NASCAR origins, moonshining, and Native tribes.

Lunch at a local Mexican street taco spot and a hand-squeezed margarita at a prohibition-style speakeasy are both included. No pedaling required — the Aventon e-bikes handle the work, making this a great fit for any fitness level.

This week's list of dogs missing near Clayton and the surrounding Regions.

Woofstock is back for its 5th year, and it's bringing all the peace, love, and dogs you can handle. The festival takes place at Deep River and is shaping up to be a full day of fun for pups and their people alike.

Expect dog vendors, live music, a groovy pup contest, a pup ice cream eating contest, and raffles. Attending rescues include Freedom Ride Rescue, JCAPL, and Red Barn Rescue — so there's a chance you might just head home with a new four-legged friend.

Market at the Crossroads is a monthly farmers market held at Flowers Crossroads in North Carolina, at the intersection of Highway 42 and Buffalo Road. Running from April through October — with a special Holiday Market in November — the event takes place every scheduled Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.

Shoppers can browse goods from vendors who are required to be the original producers of everything they sell, keeping the market authentically local. Upcoming dates include September 12, October 10, and November 17.

Interested in setting up a booth? Vendor spaces are $20 per 10×10 spot, and applications are open — just be sure to confirm your spot the week before each market.

Use the Johnston County Soil Survey Maps to Find Hidden Fishing Holes

Most people head straight to the popular boat ramps on the Neuse River, but here's what serious local anglers quietly rely on: the Johnston County soil survey maps, available through the USDA Web Soil Survey tool, reveal where creek beds shift from sandy loam to heavier clay soils. Those transition zones — common in the bottomlands east of Clayton near Buffalo Creek and Moccasin Creek — are exactly where catfish and bass stack up, because prey fish congregate near the subtle drop-offs and slower current those soil shifts create underwater.

Cross-reference those soil boundary lines with satellite imagery during late summer when water levels drop, and you'll spot the exact bends worth wading into. Locals who know this trick skip the crowded public access points entirely and fish stretches most people drive right past on Old Beulah Road and surrounding farm-road corridors — spots with zero weekend competition and surprisingly heavy fish activity.

Summer isn't over until the music stops — and Handpicked Nursery in North Carolina is making sure it ends on a high note.

The End of Summer Jam brings together a lineup of local favorites, including Josh Rhyne & SilverTones, Rob Reynolds, Mathieu Raney, Pam Ross, and several more, for an afternoon of live music, good food, cold drinks, and homegrown plants.

Friendly farm animals, shop-local vendors, and genuine small-town spirit round out the day. It's a community celebration as much as a concert — a chance to support local artists and businesses while soaking up one last taste of the season.

Benson, North Carolina's annual Mule Days celebration returns in late September 2026, packing four days with rodeos, carnival rides, live music, parades, and — of course — mules.

Held across Chamber Park, Main Street, and the Benson Singing Grove, the festival draws families with a full competitive mule and donkey show, barrel races, a Suicide Race, and a Mule Race with cash prizes up to $300.

Carnival nights run September 24–27 courtesy of Michael's Amusements, while multiple stages host country, gospel, and tribute acts across the weekend. A Saturday morning parade down Main Street and a student art contest sponsored by the Benson Foundation for the Arts round out the festivities.

Spectator admission to the mule show starts at just $5 per person, with discounts for children and pairs.

Kenly Parks and Recreation Church League Co-Ed Volleyball is up next!

Interested in playing Church League Co-Ed Volleyball this fall? Join us for an informational meeting on Tuesday, September 8th at 7:00 PM at the AG Building, located at 408 S. College Avenue, Kenly.

This meeting will be a great opportunity for churches interested in participating to learn more about the league, discuss the upcoming season, and get answers to any questions you may have.

📅 Tuesday, September 8th
⏰ 7:00 PM
📍 AG Building – 408 S. College Avenue, Kenly

We hope to see you there! 🏐

Kenly Parks and Recreation Church League Co-Ed Volleyball is up next!
Interested in playing Church League Co-Ed Volleyball this fall? Join us for an informational meeting on Tuesday, September 8th at 7:00 PM at the AG Building, located at 408 S. College Avenue, Kenly.

This meeting will be a great opportunity for churches interested in participating to learn more about the league, discuss the upcoming season, and get answers to any questions you may have.

📅 Tuesday, September 8th
⏰ 7:00 PM
📍 AG Building – 408 S. College Avenue, Kenly

We hope to see you there! 🏐

UNC Health Johnston is hosting Camp Courage, a free day camp designed to help children and teens ages 6–17 navigate grief after losing someone important to them.

Held on Saturday, September 12 at Sonlight Farms in Kenly, NC, the camp runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offers age-appropriate activities like art, music, group discussions, and remembrance exercises led by social workers, grief counselors, chaplains, and nurses.

Parents and guardians are invited to join at 4 p.m. for a family remembrance session. Online registration closes September 1, so families are encouraged to sign up soon.

Hinnant Family Vineyards is gearing up for its 2026 Harvest Festival, and Early Bird tickets are already on sale via Eventbrite — with patio tables and VIP spots going fast.

Guests can expect a packed day starting with grape picking at 8 AM, nine hours of live music from acts including Chad & Christy, Bad Decisions, and The Switch, plus a classic grape stomp and guided vineyard walk.

Food vendors, fresh oysters, shrimp, charcuterie, and a full lineup of wines and handcrafted cocktails round out the celebration — along with the debut of a brand-new wine and a special artist signing.

Band of Oz, one of the Southeast's most celebrated live acts, is taking the stage as part of the Rockin' On Raiford Concert Series in Downtown Selma, North Carolina.

The free outdoor concert happens on Raiford Street, with food trucks and local eateries on hand to keep you fueled. Because Downtown Selma is a social district, you can grab a cup from nearby spots like The Alley, Quantum Toad, or The Vault and enjoy a drink during the show.

Bring your own chair, leave the cooler at home, and get ready for a night of great live music made possible by a grant from the Johnston County Visitors Bureau.

The 50th Annual Boys & Girls Club Selma Railroad Run 5K is coming to downtown Selma, North Carolina, on Saturday, September 19th, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. — and this milestone edition is one to mark on your calendar.

The USATF-certified course is flat and fast, starting and finishing at the corner of E. Waddell Street and N. Webb Street. Early bird registration is just $25 through August 20th, with a free race T-shirt included for those who sign up by August 31st.

Timed and non-timed participants are both welcome, dogs on leashes are invited along, and a half-mile Kids Caboose Run kicks off around 8:45 a.m. for the youngest racers — no registration required.

51st Annual Selma Railroad Days Parade

Mark your calendar for Saturday, September 12, 2026 — the Four Oaks Acorn Festival returns to downtown Four Oaks for a full day of music, food, arts, and community spirit.

The beloved annual event features live entertainment, handmade goods from local artisans, food trucks, family-friendly kids' activities, and booths from area organizations and businesses. New this year, a Chamber Foundation Health Fair joins the festivities, along with free shuttle parking from a nearby training center.

Kid Zone armbands are available in advance for just $10 — rising to $15 at the gate. Vendor spots are already sold out, a sure sign this hometown tradition keeps on growing.

AutoFest is back in Downtown Four Oaks, rolling into the beloved Acorn Festival on Saturday, September 12, 2026. Presented by the Four Oaks Chamber in partnership with Keene & Associates Insurance Agency, the show welcomes classic cars, trucks, and motorcycles for a day of friendly competition and community celebration.

Vehicle registration runs from 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM, with a $25 entry fee per vehicle. Awards include Best in Era, Overall Winner, People's Choice, and a cash prize for the car club with the most entries. The first 100 registered vehicles score an exclusive custom Richardson hat.

Beyond the gleaming grilles, the Acorn Festival brings live music, food trucks, a vendor marketplace, and family-friendly activities — making it a full day out for the whole community.

This week's list of dogs missing near Clayton and the surrounding Regions.

Beards, pinups, and Harleys — what more could you ask for on a Saturday afternoon? Bulldog Harley-Davidson is hosting Beards & Bulldogs on September 5, 2026, from 11 AM to 4 PM, and it promises to be one of the more colorful events of the season.

Competitors can enter the beard contest across five categories — including Best in Show, Natural, Groomed, Mustache, and Partial — while vintage-style fans can vie for top honors in the Pinup Girl Competition, judged by both crowd and panel.

Pre-registration is available, so if you think you've got the look to win, start planning now.

Fall Fridays on Front

Fall Fridays on Front Returns This Fall!
Join us at the Neuse River Amphitheater for three Friday nights of free live music in Downtown Smithfield NC. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, grab dinner from one of the food trucks on site or one of our downtown restaurants, and enjoy an evening by the Neuse River.

September 11 – Antique Outlaws
Kick off the series with Antique Outlaws, one of central North Carolina's favorite country bands. Their energetic show features a mix of classic country, Southern rock, outlaw country, and today's hits that will have everyone singing along.

Cheeze Factory is taking the stage at Bulldog Harley-Davidson in Smithfield, North Carolina, for a free live performance on September 12, 2026, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM.

Held at 1043 Outlet Center Dr., the event promises live music alongside a showcase of some seriously impressive bikes — a perfect afternoon for music fans and motorcycle enthusiasts alike.

Admission appears to be open to the public, so if you're in Johnston County, this is a laid-back way to spend a Saturday afternoon soaking up live sound and chrome.

The Princeton Fall Festival, hosted by the Princeton Community Alliance, is bringing exciting changes to downtown Princeton in 2026. Temporary road closures along N. Center Street and the surrounding area will be in effect from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to keep attendees, vendors, and local businesses safe.

Organizers are encouraging local businesses to stay open during festival hours and help create a lively, welcoming atmosphere for residents and visitors alike. It's a great opportunity to celebrate community spirit and showcase the strength of Princeton's local economy.

Candy is a three-year-old, 46-pound Plott Hound with a brindle coat and a whole lot of personality, currently available for adoption through Black Dog Club in Smithfield, North Carolina.

After spending months in a rural county shelter, Candy found her footing on a farm, where she roams freely and holds her own among other animals — showing calm around cats, chickens, horses, and goats alike.

She does best as the only dog or with calm, respectful canines, and thrives in an adult-only home or one with older children. Shy at first, she warms up quickly once trust is established. The adoption fee is $350.

Bring Lucky Home to PA

This week's list of dogs missing near Clayton and the surrounding Regions.