Community Calendar

Wednesday, May 14

CATFISH DINNERS – The Smithfield Ruritan Club will sell catfish dinners catered by Capt. Bob 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in the former Little’s Supermarket parking lot. Drive-thru only. Tickets can be purchased at Ringo’s Donuts, Smithfield Fast Lube or from Smithfield Ruritan members.

Thursday, May 15

BINGO – American Legion Post 49 will host a Community Bingo Game at 7 p.m. at 818 S. Church St., Smithfield. Progressive payouts of $1,000 or more. Doors open at 5 p.m.; card sales begin at 6 p.m. Sandwiches and snacks are available from the Legion Auxiliary.  For up-to-date information (in case of inclement weather, etc.) check the post’s Facebook page or call 757-357-9239.

Friday, May 16

SPAGHETTI & PIZZA DINNER – The Smithfield Ward Youth will have a Spaghetti and Pizza Dinner with a silent auction and karaoke 6-8 p.m. at 4759 Bennetts Pasture Road in Suffolk. For ticket information or to make reservations call or text Catherine Hardy at 757-409-1807.

DRAWING DAY – The Isle of Wight County Museum, 103 Main St., Smithfield, will observe Drawing Day 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Bring a pencil, charcoals or crayons. Free admission for all artists – professional, aspiring or beginners. For information visit www.historicisleofwight.com or call 757-356-1223.

OPEN MIC NIGHT – 7-9 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 111 S. Church St., Smithfield. Grab the mic to participate or enjoy the entertainment, including music and poetry, in a “coffeehouse” atmosphere. A snack bar is available and all donations go to local outreach ministries. Open Mic Night takes place the third Friday of each month. Admission is free.

Saturday, May 17

SMITHFIELD ARTS FESTIVAL – 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in the 100-300 blocks of Main Street in downtown Smithfield, celebrating visual, performing, culinary and literary arts. Free admission. 

MAGNIFICENT MAY MARKET – The GFWC Junto Woman’s Club will host its annual Magnificent May Market 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Oakland Christian Church, 5641 Godwin Blvd., Suffolk, including a marketplace, food, art, artisans, silent auction and homemade baked goods. For information email magnificentmaymarket@gmail.com.

TALKING STAMPS – The Isle of Wight County Museum, 103 Main St., Smithfield, will host a presentation at 2 p.m. on U.S. postage stamps that commemorated America’s fight for independence. Participants will learn about Isle of Wight County’s connection to the opening shots of the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, considered the start of the American Revolutionary War. For information visit www.historicisleofwight.com or call 757-356-1223.

MOTHER AND DAUGHTER TEA – New Bethany United Church of Christ will host a Mother and Daughter Tea at 2 p.m. The guest speaker will be Minister Shaneta Pretlow. Participants are encouraged to bring their favorite teacup.

Monday, May 19

DINNER CHURCH – Surry Baptist Church will have its monthly Dinner Church at 6 p.m. featuring food, fellowship and worship.

Tuesday, May 20

SOCIAL SERVICES BOARD – The Isle of Wight County Department of Social Services Board will meet at 4 p.m. in the Human Services Building of the Courthouse Complex, 17100 Monument Circle, Suite A. For information call 757-365-0880.

Thursday, May 22

FISH FRY – Isle of Wight County Parks & Recreation will have its Commission on Aging Fish Fry 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at The Smithfield Center. Doors will open at 9 a.m. Tickets are on sale for $8 at Nike Park, Americare Plus, Smithfield Visitor Center and Windsor True Value. For information, call 757-357-5951 or email mtaylor@isleofwightus.net.

BINGO – American Legion Post 49 will host a Community Bingo Game at 7 p.m. at 818 S. Church St., Smithfield. Progressive payouts of $1,000 or more. Doors open at 5 p.m.; card sales begin at 6 p.m. Sandwiches and snacks are available from the Legion Auxiliary.  For up-to-date information (in case of inclement weather, etc.) check the post’s Facebook page or call 757-357-9239.

Friday, May 23

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES – Griffin Lane will kick off the 2025 Downtown Smithfield Summer Concert Series at 7:30 p.m. on the Main Street Square stage in front of The Smithfield Times, 228 Main St. The free concerts continue each Friday through Labor Day weekend. Bring a chair or blanket.

Saturday, May 24

VFW BREAKFAST – Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8545 will have a fundraising breakfast 7-10 a.m. at 223 Washington St., Smithfield. Menu items include omelets to order, waffles, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, sausage gravy, grits, hash browns, biscuits, mixed fruit, coffee and juice. The price is $12 for adults and $5 for children 5-12. Children under 5 eat for free. All proceeds support local veterans and community projects.

COLON CANCER WALK – Sentara Healthcare and Upsilon Xi Sigma will host a Colon Cancer Awareness Walk 10 a.m.-1 p.m. starting at 215 W. Washington St., Suffolk. The walk will bring together survivors, families, friends and others who desire to take a stand against color cancer. For information, email uxbowe@sentara.com.

CEMETERY PRESERVATION – St. Luke’s Historic Church, 14477 Benns Church Blvd., will host a free Cemetery Preservation Workshop 11 a.m.-1 p.m. to educate volunteers on safely preserving and protecting historic tombstones and markers. For information email development@historicstlukes.org.

Monday, May 26

MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY – 11 a.m. at the Isle of Wight Veterans Memorial on North Church Street adjacent to the Smithfield Center. Sponsored by the Dashiell-Barlow Smithfield American Legion Post 49 and assisted by Smithfield Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8545. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in The Smithfield Center. For information, call 757-357-9239 or 757-357-6210.

Thursday, May 29

BINGO – American Legion Post 49 will host a Community Bingo Game at 7 p.m. at 818 S. Church St., Smithfield. Progressive payouts of $1,000 or more. Doors open at 5 p.m.; card sales begin at 6 p.m. Sandwiches and snacks are available from the Legion Auxiliary.  For up-to-date information (in case of inclement weather, etc.) check the post’s Facebook page or call 757-357-9239.

ONGOING AND UPCOMING

JON MAY EXHIBIT – The Arts Center @319 on Main Street in Smithfield is hosting “Our Town” (Southside Virginia) through June 15, featuring art of Smithfield, Windsor, Isle of Wight and neighboring areas in various mediums. Admission is free. For information call 757-357-7707 or e-mail info@smithfieldarts.org.

MOBILE MUSEUM – The VA250 Mobile Museum will visit Smithfield May 15-18, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, in conjunction with the Smithfield Arts Festival. Titled “Out of Many, One”, the free hands-on, interactive and immersive museum on wheels will be parked in the BSV parking lot next to the Isle of Wight County Museum.

RAGTIME – THE MUSICAL – The Smithfield Little Theatre, 210 N. Church St., will present “Ragtime – The Musical” through May 18. For tickets visit smithfieldlittletheatre.org.

FLOWER & ART SHOW – The Historic Wakefield Foundation will present its 38th annual Flower & Art Show through May 16 featuring the works of more than 40 artists. Each piece of artwork is accompanied by a floral arrangement. 

SPRING MUSICAL – The Smithfield High School Drama Club will present “The Wiz” on May 24 at 2 p.m and 7 p.m., May 30 at 6 p.m. and May 31 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Smithfield High School Auditorium, 14171 Turner Drive, Smithfield. Tickets are $12.

NARFE MEETING – The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association Chapter 1743 will meet at 9 a.m. May 28 at the Holiday Inn Express, Centerbrooke Lane in Suffolk. Cost of $10 per person covers room rental and breakfast at 8:45 a.m. A $5 donation is requested for those who don’t eat breakfast. Tamakia Hamlin of Suffolk Parks and Recreation will speak on “55 and Better” programs. For information call 757-651-8665.

COURTHOUSE DRAMA – The 1750 Courthouse, 130 Main St., Smithfield, will celebrate Court Day 2025 on May 31 with a play about greed, inheritance, murder and divorce. Showtimes are 11 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Sponsored by Bush & Taylor, P.C. Directed by Julian Bouchard. Tickets are $10 at https://historic-smithfield.square.site/. Proceeds benefit the upkeep and maintenance of the courthouse. For information, call 757-356-9016.

COMMUNITY DAY – Millfield Baptist Church, 31389 Millfield Road, Wakefield, will hold its Community Day noon-5 p.m. May 31. Activities include a cornhole tournament, silent auction, community information booths, bouncy houses, cotton candy and more. For information, call 757-859-6896 or visit www.millfieldlife.org.

  1. LUKE’S OPEN HOUSE – St. Luke’s Historic Church, 14477 Benns Church Blvd., will host a free Sacred Spaces open house at 1 p.m. May 31 in partnership with the Diocese of Southern Virginia of the Episcopal Church. Participants are encouraged to bring memories, mementos and photographs of places that are sacred to them, especially ones involving St. Luke’s. Registration is required at stlukesmuseum.org

DEMENTIA TALK – Riverside Smithfield Hospital will present a dementia workshop 2-4 p.m. May 31 at Benns United Methodist Church’s Family Life Center, 14571 Benns Church Blvd., Smithfield. Participants will learn about Alzheimer’s, dementia, memory loss and what to expect when getting a diagnosis. Featured speaker Denise Butler, geriatric care specialist from the Martha W. Goodson Center, and two other experts will provide research insights and resources to support individuals and families affected by dementia. To register or for information, call 1-800-272-3900.

BATTLE OF SMITHFIELD – The Isle of Wight County Museum, 103 Main St., Smithfield, will commemorate the 1864 Battle of Smithfield with a lecture and walking tour at 2 p.m. May 31. The engagement between Union and Confederate troops saw artillery and musket fire up and down Main Street, eventually resulting in the destruction of the U.S. Army gunboat Smith Briggs. For information call 757-356-1223 or visit www.historicisleofwight.com.

OFF-ROAD MOTORCYCLE RACE – The third annual Championship Off-Road Motorcycle Race will be held at 8:30 a.m. June 1 at the Isle of Wight Heritage Park Fairgrounds, 21311 Courthouse Highway, Windsor. 

WINDSOR CASTLE WALKING TOUR – 2 p.m. June 1 at 301 Jericho Road, Smithfield. From the site’s pre-colonial existence to present day, Windsor Castle tells the history of the development of Smithfield. Participants will explore the house and several of the outbuildings. Meet on the front steps of Windsor Castle. For information call 757-356-1223 or visit www.historicisleofwight.com.

RAGGED ISLAND MEETING – The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources will host a public meeting 5:30-7:30 p.m. June 3 at the Carrollton Library, 14362 New Towne Haven Lane, to discuss the upcoming habitat and shoreline restoration project at Ragged Island Wildlife Management Area. Partners from Ducks Unlimited, Christopher Newport University, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and DWR will provide information about the initiative, answer questions and listen to comments.

SENIOR SAFETY SUMMIT – 8 a.m.-noon June 12 at The Smithfield Center, 220 N. Church St. Participants will learn techniques to stay safe and protect themselves. The free summit will include presenters, exhibitors, a continental breakfast and door prizes. RSVP at www.SeniorAdvocate.live or call 757-724-7001.

DENDRON HISTORY – The Dendron Historical Society, whose mission is to preserve the history of the Town of Dendron and how Surry Lumber Co. and the Surry, Sussex, and Southampton Railway influenced the town, meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at its museum, 2855 Rolfe Hwy., Dendron.

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. 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. Admission is free. For details call 757-675-5777.

CRUISE-IN CAR SHOW – The Smithfield Ruritan Club’s cruise-in car shows are held each first Friday through October 5-7 p.m. at Luter Sports Complex, 900 W. Main St. Free admission. For information,  call 757-357-7070.

PICKERS MARKET – 9 a.m.-1 p.m. each second Saturday through October at 315 Main St., Smithfield, behind When Pigs Fly. Free admission. For information, call 757-357-5182 or email cchapman@iwus.net.

GOP MEETING – The Isle of Wight Republican Committee General Meeting is held every fourth Monday at 7 p.m. at the Isle of Wight Ruritan Club, 17011 Courthouse Hwy., Windsor.

DEMOCRATIC MEETING – The Isle of Wight Democratic Committee general meeting is held the third Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Smithfield Library, 225 James St., Smithfield.

ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES – Isle of Wight County’s Commission on Adults with Disabilities meets the first Monday of every month at 6 p.m. in the boardroom of the Community Development building at the Isle of Wight County courthouse complex, 17090 Monument Circle. The commission invites residents to provide input on the unmet needs and challenges facing adults with disabilities and their caregivers. For information, contact Jamie Klak at 757-365-1663 or email jklak@isleofwightus.net.

AFTER-SCHOOL TUTORING – The Schoolhouse Museum and Main Street Baptist Church are offering free After-School Tutoring and Enhancement classes every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 4-5 p.m. Enroll your child at https://tinyurl.com/ms78csyv

FOOD & HISTORY TOUR – Participants can spend the afternoon savoring tastes of pork, seafood, desserts and more from up to eight Smithfield restaurants while uncovering the history of the pork and peanut industries that put Smithfield on the map. $75 per person. Duration is 2.5 to 3 hours. Offered most first and third Fridays of the month at 2 p.m. For information, call 757-357-5182.

SENIOR BINGO – 2-3:30 p.m. each Monday at Hardees, Church Street, Smithfield, and 1:30-3 p.m. each Tuesday at Bubba-N-Franks, Carrollton Boulevard, Carrollton. First-come, first-play according to seating availability. Food prizes provided by the restaurants. Free to play.

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

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

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. March through December.

SMITHFIELD RURITAN CLUB – The Smithfield Ruritan Club meets the second Tuesday of every month at Smithfield Station. Social hour is at 6 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m. and meeting starts at 7 p.m.

ROTARY CLUB OF SMITHFIELD – The traditional club holds its membership meetings each Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Smithfield Station, 415 S. Church St. The Rotary Happy Hour Club 

meets at 5:30 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of each month at Gatling Pointe Marina.

KAYAK RENTALS – Windsor Castle Park, 705 Cedar St., Smithfield. The free launch is open 365 days a year. The park offers kayak rentals using a self-service kiosk. The rate is $25 for two hours and includes a life jacket. To use the kiosk, first download the Rent.Fun app and create an account. Next, scan the code on the lock to unlock the kiosk and remove your kayak, paddle and life jacket. Return your equipment within the two-hour limit and select “End Rental” in the app. Go to WindsorCastlePark.com for more rules and safety tips. ,

VFW MONTHLY MEETING – Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8545 holds its monthly membership meeting the second Wednesday of each month at 223 Washington St., Smithfield. Social at 6 p.m., dinner at 6:45 p.m. and membership meeting at 7:30. Cost for dinner is $15. 

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. 

MOBILE FOOD PANTRY – Second Thursday of each 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 at 804-546-7529 or the Regional Housing Crisis Hotline at 757-587-4202.