The summer may be winding down in Columbus, but there are still big events coming your way over the weekend. Check out the Watermelon Festival in Fair Bluff, do a little painting and a little learning, or get an early start for back to school at a supply drive. There is so much fun left to be had before the fall rolls in, so make sure you take advantage of all the Good News left in stock for the month of July.
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences at Whiteville will be showing “Mufusa: The Lion King” on July 25 at their next installment of Movies on Madison. The lawn will open at 7:30 p.m. for folks to learn about amazing animals who prowl at night, and the movie will be shown at 8 p.m. This is a family-friendly event, so no pets, coolers, alcohol, or smoking will be permitted. Refreshments will be available for purchase. NCMNS-W is located at 415 South Madison Street in Whiteville.
Ashley Lomboy, director of the Waccamaw Siouan STEM Studio, will be at the Lake Waccamaw State Park Visitor’s Center this Saturday, July 26, at 10:30 a.m. Come learn about what’s happening at the Waccamaw Siouan STEM Studio, upcoming programs, and how you can help invest in our children and our environment’s future. Topics will include Hooheh Reforestation and Cultural Burn Program, and the 5th Annual Yacunne Fish Camp.
The Community Art Journey will be celebrating Christmas in July this Saturday, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. with holiday themed barn quilt painting. You can make your own 12″ x 12″ for $25, 18″ x 18″ for $50, or a 24″ x 24″ for $75 when you register with a friend. Those interested in the workshop can sign up by call 910.625.8066.
If your child needs school supplies, then you may want to head over to 116 Miller Street in Chadbourn for the H.E.A.R.T.S. Foundation’s annual supply drive on July 26. Beginning at 3 p.m., the nonprofit will hand out backpacks fill with everything your youngster needs to start the school year off right. The drive will continue until the last bag is given away. To keep traffic flowing, all parents are asked to stay in the car and pay attention to the officers directing vehicles to the location. There are also a few rules to follow for this year’s drive. No items will be given away to folks who walk up on foot, and all school aged children must be present in the car to receive a backpack. The foundation will not be handing supply out to adult who do not have their kiddos with them. For more information about the charity, contact Lashoney Frink-Southern at 910.625.1745.
A puppy named Frankie got to go on a little field trip that resulted in his adoption last week in Brunswick County. Deputy Evans dog-napped the pup from the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office APS and let him hang out with the crew at the 911 Telecommunications Center. In a high stress environment, a little puppy love can go a long way, and for Frankie, that also meant finding his furever home.
The town of Fair Bluff will hold their annual Watermelon Festival this Saturday, July 26. The day will begin at 7 a.m. with watermelon contest registration and vendor setup. Alyssa Strickland will sing the ‘National Anthem’ at 8:55 a.m., and the parade will begin at 12:30 p.m. For the full list of festival events, visit https://columbuscountynews.com/2025-fair-bluff-watermelon-festival/.
Veterans Memorial Park of America will have orange and black bows available for a donation of $25 each in honor of Agent Orange Awareness Day on Sunday, Aug. 10. Those interested in hanging a bow at your home or business is asked to contact the VMPA at 910.840.5207. The deadline to order is Aug. 1.
Whiteville and Chadbourn police departments are already planning community shindigs for ‘National Night Out’ on Aug. 5. Whiteville will hold their event from 6-8:30 p.m. in the City Hall parking lot, and Chadbourn PD and other first responders will hang out with residents at the Strawberry Event Field from 6-8 p.m. National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign to promote police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie.
Paws, Music, and Moonlight was a smash hit at the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Animal Protective Services last Saturday. Three furbabies at the shelter got adopted and the community come together for a little food and fun. Those who adopted animals on the night of the event were also treated to a free milkshake compliments of Lee’s Creamery.
The Columbus County Farmers Market has a ton of events planned for everyone for the rest of 2025. Aug. 9 is Back to School Day, Sept. 13 is Honey Day, Sept. 27 is the Fall Harvest Festival, Oct. 18 is Chicken Bog and BBQ Day, Nov. 15 is Collards, Cornbread, and Sweet Potato Day, and on Dec. 13, the facility will host Christmas from the Heart. You don’t have to wait for these dates to roll around before you can head out and shop at the market. They are open every Saturday from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. at 132 Government Complex Drive in Whiteville. To find out about all the vendor wares and produce for sale, be sure to visit the Columbus County Farmers Market Facebook page.
East Columbus FFA member Ava Grice was one of 36 students selected to attend the NC State Livestock Science Camp this summer. She was able to tour the campus and learn about what NC State has to offer. This, along with hands-on experiences, has the young excited for college in the future. Congratulations Ava.
Speaking of the Gators, East Columbus Junior/Senior High School will have their open house on Aug. 21 from 5-7 p.m. There will be a parent meeting for grades 7-12 in the auditorium at 6 p.m. The school is located at 32 Gator Lane in Lake Waccamaw.
The second annual Jessalyn Wray Batton Walk to Remember will be on Sept. 27 at 10 a.m. at the Coastal Family Urgent Care located at 310 Liberty Street in Whiteville. There will be vendors, food trucks, fellowship, a memory walk, and t-shirts for sale. All proceeds from the event will go to Breast Cancer screenings for uninsured women. Last year, the charity raised enough money for thirteen mammograms and three diagnostic mammograms and ultrasounds. Signups for screenings will also be available on site. For details, call Brittany at 910.317.5550.
Remember to check out our Good News tab throughout the week. We love to hear about all the great things happening around you. Email your submissions to thegoodnews@columbuscountynews.com or crystalfaircloth@columbuscountynews.com; call us at 910.914.6056 or just drop by our office at 1015 South Madison St., Whiteville. We love visitors. If the blinds are open, we’re open for business.
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