Wednesday, March 29

VIETNAM VETERANS DAY – Isle of Wight County Museum will observe National Vietnam Veterans Day at 12:30 p.m. After an overview of the war’s history with images from the museum’s collection, area Vietnam veterans are invited to share their personal stories of the war. The museum is located at 103 Main St., Smithfield. For information call 757-356-1223 or visit www.historicisleofwight.com.  

Thursday, March 30

BINGO – Smithfield American Legion will host a community bingo game at 818 S. Church St. in Smithfield. Regular and special games are paying out up to $60 and progressive game jackpots of over $1,000. Doors open at 5 p.m.; card sales begin at 6 p.m. Refreshments are available from the Legion Auxiliary on site. For up-to-date information (in case of inclement weather, etc.) check the post Facebook page (Post49SmithfieldVA) or call 757-357-9239.

THERAPEUTIC RECREATION PROGRAM – Isle of Wight County Parks and Recreation has launched its first-ever Therapeutic Recreation Program for people ages 4 and up with disabilities and their parents/guardians. A launch party is planned for 6-7 p.m. at Nike Park Recreation Hall, 13036 Nike Park Road, Carrollton. For information, contact Jaimie Belch at 757-365-1663 or jbelch@isleofwightus.net

COMMEMORATIVE DINNER – The Smithfield Rotary Club will host a commemorative dinner at 6:30 p.m. at Smithfield Station to honor the late William K. Barlow’s 20 years of service in the House of Delegates. Delegate Emily Brewer will present the proclamation to Mrs. Taylor Barlow. A limited number of tickets are available. Those wishing to attend should contact Larry Saint at LSaint52@msn.com or 757-409-6957.

Friday, March 31

FISH FRY – The Men’s Club at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 300 Smithfield Blvd., Smithfield, will host a fish fry 5-7 p.m. each Friday in March. Drive-thru only. Cost is $10. Meal consists of fish filet, cole slaw, hush puppies and fries.

Saturday, April 1

SMITHFIELD FARMERS MARKET – The 2023 season begins with a new time of 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and a theme of “Year of the Farmer,” with the market having over 15 farms this season. For information email sdooley@iwus.net

Sunday, April 2

WALKING TOUR OF WINDSOR CASTLE PARK – 705 Cedar St., Smithfield, 2-4 p.m. From the site’s pre-colonial existence to the present day, Windsor Castle tells the history of the development of Smithfield. Participants will get a walking tour through history, including exploration of the house and several of the outbuildings. Meet on the front steps of Windsor Castle, 301 Jericho Road, Smithfield. $5 per person. For information call 757-356-1223.

Wednesday, April 5

COMMISSION ON AGING – The Isle of Wight Commission on Aging will have its monthly meeting at 10 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors room at the Isle of Wight Courthouse. For information, call Barbara P. Wiggins at 757-356-0591.

Friday, April 7

CRUISE-IN – The Smithfield Ruritan Club will hold its Cruise-In at the Joseph W. Luter Jr. Sports Complex, 900 W. Main St., Smithfield, 5-8 p.m. Cruise-Ins will be held on the first Friday of each month through October. For information, call Brenda Redd at 757-647-9894.

Saturday, April 8

EASTER EGG HUNT – 2 p.m. on the Jones-Stewart Mansion grounds at Chippokes State Park. Children ages 10 and under are invited to participate. Over 1,000 eggs will be hidden in two sections, one for younger children, one for older. Bring your own basket. There will be refreshments and activities for the family, including an appearance by Victor the Silver Rabbit, a special ambassador animal of Chippokes. There is a vehicle entrance fee of $7. 

IVY HILL CEMETERY TOUR  – 10 a.m. This walk is a discussion of the signs, symbols and notable burials in the historic rural cemetery, which was established in 1887. Wear comfortable walking shoes. $5 per person; cash or check. Tour meets at Ivy Hill Cemetery, 451 N. Church St., Smithfield. For information visit www.historicisleofwight.com or call 757-408-1935. 

FORT HUGER WALKING TOUR – 2 p.m. Visit the Civil War fort and learn the significance of this gateway to the Confederate capital. Tour meets at Fort Huger, 15080 Talcott Terrace, Smithfield. For information visit www.historicisleofwight.com or call 757-356-1223. 

Sunday, April 9

SUNRISE SERVICE – A community Easter Sunday Sunrise Service will be held at 7 a.m. in the 

Windsor Castle Park amphitheater area. Bring a chair.

Tuesday, April 11 

SMITHFIELD RURITAN MEETING – The Smithfield Ruritans will meet at 6:45 p.m. at Smithfield Station, 409 S. Church St. The guest will be a representative from the Western Tidewater Free Clinic. For information, call Brenda Redd at 757-647-9894.

Saturday, April 15

FORUM ON GUN VIOLENCE – Providential Credit Care Management Inc. will host 

Dr. M. Julius Hayes, CEO of The Saturday Academy for Positive Self-Development, for an informational session on the effects of gun violence on youth, families and communities. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Main Street Baptist Church, 517 Main St., Smithfield. Also featured will be Jaylen Garland, ninth grader at Phoebus High School in Hampton, and Travis “TJ” Holloway Jr., a second grader at Windsor Elementary School. Refreshments will be provided. For information, contact Dr. Barbara P. Wiggins, CEO and founder of PCCMI, at 757-356-0591.

BATTLE OF THE BANDS – Smithfield High School will compete against Eastern High School in the fourth annual Battle of the Bands from 3-6 p.m. The SHS Marching Band will show off its skills in marching, dancing, baton, flag and musicianship. Food will be sold. Admission is $8. Join the Smithfield High School Packer Band Facebook Group for information on this and other events.

Saturday, April 22

GARDEN TEA – 1-3 p.m. on the grounds of the Jones-Stewart Mansion at Chippokes State Park. Hosted by Friends of Chippokes, visitors can enjoy savory and sweet treats, along with several types of tea, served on the side porch of the mansion. There is a vehicle entrance fee of $7. 

Thursday, April 27

PIG PICKIN – The 47th annual Windsor Ruritan Club Pig Pickin’ Festival will be 3-7 p.m. at the Isle of Wight County Fairgrounds. Menu includes barbecue, cole slaw, beans and cornbread. $35 donation. Live music by Island Boy. For tickets and information contact Gibbie Dowdy at 757-630-5420.

Saturday, April 29

COURT DAY – The 1750 Isle of Wight County Courthouse, 130 Main St., Smithfield, will present Court Day, “Sounds of the Revolution,” directed by Julian Bounchard, with performances at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Admission is $10; children 6 and under free. For information, visit www.1750courthouse.com

ONGOING AND UPCOMING

HOLY WEEK – Benn’s United Methodist Church, 14571 Benns Church Blvd., Smithfield, has set its schedule of Easter services. Palm Sunday service will be at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. April 2. Maundy Thursday service will be at 7 p.m. April 6. Easter Sunday service will be at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. April 9.

ROTARY GRANT – The Smithfield Rotary Club will have up to $15,000 in grant funds available for a qualifying community project. The project must address an Isle of Wight community need, be sustainable and support at least one required area of focus. The amount of funds to be awarded depends on the project size and scope. The funds will become available in August and must be used by June 2024. Isle of Wight community organizations desiring more information should contact Larry Saint at LSaint52@msn.com.

ED BLAND MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP – Applications are open for the Ed Bland Music Scholarship, which awards $1,000 to a graduating high school senior. High-school seniors who play an instrument (acoustic or electronic) and who plan to pursue a professional career in music are eligible to apply. Eligible students must be enrolled in one of the Hampton Roads high schools. Homeschooled students who meet the requirements are also eligible to apply. Submission requirements are an audition CD of the applicant playing their instrument (the CD should contain one 3-minute performance of an excerpt of a well-known musical composition and one 3-minute performance of an improvised or original composition); two letters of recommendation; high school transcript; proof of residence; a brief biography; applicant’s artistic statement of career goals and plans; and acceptance letter from a higher-education program, conservatory or university. Application must be postmarked on or before April 14. Send application materials to Osmund Music, 912 S. Church St., Box#130, Smithfield, VA 23430. For information, email osmundmusic@gmail.com

COFFEE WITH THE PASTOR – Every Wednesday 9 a.m.-noon at Coffee Cube on Church Street in Smithfield with pastor Chris Andress of Bethany United Methodist Church.

CEC JAM – 7:30-9:30 a.m. each Saturday at Christ Episcopal Church. Musicians and “musicians in progress” get together to play and sing a wide range of music, including the Beatles, Eagles, Frank Sinatra, gospel, blues, Pearl Jam and CCR, to name a few. Musicians include people just learning to play the guitar up to lead mentor Lee Harper of the Isle of Wight Guitar Studio. The lyrics and chords are displayed on a large screen near the “Gene Lowery” stage in the church parish hall. Participants are invited to bring their favorite instrument and make a joyful noise.

COMMUNITY SPRING FLING – Windsor High School’s Community Spring Fling will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 6, at the school. The event will feature local vendors, crafters and consultants with great handmade and quality products. Food trucks and other food vendors will be present. 

1750 ISLE OF WIGHT COURTHOUSE – The historic courthouse on Main Street in Smithfield is open Sunday-Thursday 1-4 p.m., Fridays 11 a.m.4 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

PICKLEBALL – Through April 5 at Windsor Town Center on Mondays noon-2:30 p.m. and Tuesdays 5-7:30 p.m. All ages are welcome to participate. The cost for a single day is $2 for participants ages 18 and up and $1 for participants ages 17 and under. There will be paddles and balls available to use if needed. For information email earrington@isleofwightus.net 

SPRING BREAK CAMP – Registration has begun for Isle of Wight County Parks and Recreation’s annual Spring Break Camp (April 10-14), an opportunity for children (kindergarten to sixth grade) to enjoy crafts, games, guest speakers and trips. The cost is $65 per child and parents will also need to provide lunch, snacks and drinks for their children. Registration will remain open until all slots are filled. Parents are encouraged to register early because space is limited. The Spring Break Camp will be held at Windsor Town Center (23361 Courthouse Hwy.) and Nike Park (13036 Nike Park Road, Carrollton). For information, call 757-357-2291.

SPRING VINTAGE MARKET – Tickets are on sale for the Vintage Market at the Isle of Wight Fairgrounds on Saturday, May 6. Food, live music and vendors. General admission tickets are $5 and ticket holders get in beginning at 10 a.m. Early Bird tickets are $10 and allow entry beginning at 8 a.m. Attendees may also buy tickets at the gate with a credit or debit card. For information, call 757-357-5182. Buy tickets at https://event.attendstar.com/event/show/spring-vintage-market_9235/

CALL FOR ARTISTS – The second annual Smithfield Arts Festival, planned for 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, May 20, is seeking artists for a juried art show to be included in the activities at the festival. Also planned are craft vendors, live music, theatrical performances, culinary and literary art. For information visit https://www.genuinesmithfieldva.com/events/detail/113/smithfield-arts-festival/88446

MANNA – 5:30-7 p.m. every Tuesday at Healing Waters Worship Center, 12172 Smith’s Neck Road, Carrollton. Drive-thru free groceries to all in need. Visit www.hwwcnow.org for more information.

FOOD DISTRIBUTION – Isle of Wight Christian Outreach is offering extended hours for food distribution Mondays from 4-6:30 p.m. This is in addition to the regular Monday, Wednesday and Friday 11 a.m.-3 p.m. distribution. Call 757-356-9267 for information. The mission is located at 402 Grace St. in Smithfield. 

LOCAL VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER – Joe Grocki will be available at Smithfield American Legion Post 49, 818 S. Church St. in Smithfield, on Mondays 9-11 a.m. He is available to assist any military veteran who has questions about their benefits, issues with discharge paperwork or needs assistance filing claims with Veterans Affairs. Appointments can be made by calling 757-357-9239.

MOBILE FOOD PANTRY – Every second Thursday of the month at the Luter Sports Complex. Sponsored by the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia.

ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY MUSEUM – Open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon-4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $2 for ages 18 and up. Interpreting local history, the museum’s exhibits include prehistoric fossils, Native American and Colonial artifacts, a country store and the museum’s most notable artifact — the world’s oldest, edible cured ham. The 1902 pork product exemplifies the patented Smithfield curing process. 

FIELD TRIPS IN ISLE OF WIGHT – Choose from several categories, including History, Art, Agriculture and Plants and Animals. Visit https://www.genuinesmithfieldva.com/events/detail/410/family-field-trip—plants-and-animals/80721

COMMONWEALTH CATHOLIC CHARITIES – Has launched a street outreach program to pair those experiencing homelessness with resources available to them in Western Tidewater. To refer someone in need, contact Ashli Hill, case worker, at 804-546-7529 or the Regional Housing Crisis Hotline at 757-587-4202.