October is here, and Whiteville is ready to celebrate.
From pumpkins and parade floats to fair rides, community traditions and a little Halloween fun, there’s plenty happening around town this month.
Whether you’re looking for something to do with the kids, an excuse to get outside, or simply a reason to get out of the house and enjoy the season, here are five October events worth putting on your calendar.
🎃 1. Robinson Produce Farms Pumpkin Festival
October 3–4
If you’re ready to officially declare it fall, start here.
The Robinson Produce Farms Pumpkin Festival returns October 3–4, bringing pumpkins, vendors, food, entertainment and plenty of fall-season fun to Whiteville.
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There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about picking out a pumpkin in person, wandering around the farm and letting the kids decide which one absolutely has to come home with you.
And if you’re looking for that perfect fall photo, this is probably a pretty good place to start.
📍 Robinson Produce Farms
607 N. J.K. Powell Blvd., Whiteville
The festival runs throughout the weekend, giving you plenty of opportunity to work it into your plans.
🏃 2. Trooper Kevin Conner Memorial Run
October 10
Trade the pumpkin patch for your running shoes.
The Trooper Kevin Conner Memorial Run returns to downtown Whiteville on Saturday, October 10, with a 5K and a 1-mile fun run/walk.
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The event honors Trooper Kevin Conner, who died during a traffic stop in October 2018. Proceeds support a scholarship fund in his memory for students in Columbus and Bladen counties.
You don’t have to be a serious runner to take part. The 1-mile event gives walkers an opportunity to participate, too.
And if running isn’t your thing, there’s still a good reason to come downtown and cheer on the people who are doing it.
📍 Downtown Whiteville
The 5K begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by the 1-mile event at 8:35 a.m.
🎉 3. Columbus County Agriculture Fair Parade
Monday, October 12
Before the midway opens and the rides start spinning, Whiteville gets ready for the fair with a hometown tradition of its own.
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The 38th Annual Columbus County Agriculture Fair Parade rolls through Whiteville on Monday, October 12, beginning at 4 p.m.
If you want to get a good spot along the route, plan to arrive early. Parade lineup begins at 3 p.m. along Lee Street, near the intersection of Lee, Madison and Franklin Streets. From there, the parade will travel toward West Smith Street.
Bring the kids. Bring a lawn chair. Bring your camera.
And, of course, bring your appetite. The parade is essentially the official warm-up for fair week, with the Columbus County Agriculture Fair opening the following day, October 13.
📍 Downtown Whiteville
It’s a simple tradition, but that’s part of the charm. Find a spot along the street, settle in and watch your community come together to kick off another year of fair fun.
🎡 4. Columbus County Agriculture Fair
October 13–18
Is it really October without a trip to the fair?
The Columbus County Agriculture Fair returns October 13–18 at the Columbus County Fairgrounds, bringing six days of rides, food, exhibits, entertainment and good old-fashioned fair fun.
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There will be carnival rides, competitive exhibits, agricultural shows, live entertainment, fair food, a demolition derby and a new tiger encounter show included with admission.
And then there’s the food.
Fair food deserves its own category of cuisine. Funnel cakes, fried treats, something on a stick and whatever else catches your eye—October is probably the perfect time to give yourself permission to indulge.
📍 Columbus County Fairgrounds
886 Prison Camp Road, Whiteville
👻 5. SCC Trunk or Treat
October 29
And finally, we get to the Halloween part.
On Thursday, October 29, Southeastern Community College will host its annual Trunk or Treat on the front lawn from 6–8 p.m.
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The free community event is presented by SCC, the H.E.A.R.T.S. Foundation and Columbus County Parks & Recreation.
There will be candy, games, food trucks and activities for all ages, along with a costume contest beginning at 7 p.m. The evening will also include the announcement of the trunk-decorating contest winners.
The costume contest includes age groups from birth through 18, making this one especially appealing for families.
📍 Southeastern Community College
4564 Chadbourn Hwy., Whiteville
🕕 Thursday, October 29 | 6–8 p.m.
So start thinking about those costumes now.
So, What Are You Doing This October?
That’s the nice thing about October in Whiteville: you don’t have to pick just one.
You can start the month with pumpkins, spend a Saturday morning downtown, watch the fair parade, eat your way through the fair and finish the month with candy and costumes.
And somewhere in between, there are probably a few spontaneous stops worth making, too.
Because fall in Columbus County isn’t something you have to watch from the sidelines.
Get out. Get together. And enjoy it while it lasts.
