Community Calendar
Wednesday, July 9
SONS OF AMERICAN REVOLUTION – Virginia Sons of the American Revolution will meet 7-8:30 p.m. at the Carrollton Library, 14362 New Towne Haven Lane. The event is for anyone interested in joining the local chapter. The group honors Revolutionary War patriot ancestors by promoting patriotism, serving the community and educating younger generations about the founding principles of the country. For information visit www.virginiasar.org
LECTURE SERIES – The second part of the St. Luke’s Historic Church & Museum Summer Lecture Series continues with “Revolutionary Minds” at noon at 14477 Benns Church Blvd., Smithfield. St. Luke’s Executive Director John Ericson will explore the influence of the Enlightenment on Jefferson, Madison, Franklin and other Revolutionary minds. The lecture is free, with registration required at https://stlukesmuseum.org/events/summer-series-part-ii-revolutionary-minds/ Drinks and snacks will be provided.
Thursday, July 10
BINGO – American Legion Post 49 will host a Community Bingo Game at 7 p.m. at 818 S. Church St., Smithfield. Progressive jackpots approaching $1,000; regular game payouts of $40-$50. 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, July 11
NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM – The World’s Oldest Ham’s Birthday Sleepover is set for 6-7 p.m. at the Isle of Wight County Museum, 103 Main St., Smithfield. Kids are encouraged to put on their PJs and bring their favorite stuffed animal or doll to the museum. Museum staff will read a bedtime story or two before the special guests are tucked in. Kids will head home, but their stuffed animal friends will stay the night. Pick up the overnight guests the next morning, the World’s Oldest Ham’s birthday, while hearing about everyone’s adventures. Representatives and books from Blackwater Regional Library will join the celebration. For information visit www.historicisleofwight.com or call 757-356-1223.
SUMMER CONCERT – JuJu Drums Caribbean Steel, led by Gary “JuJu” Garlic, will perform at 7:30 p.m. for the Downtown Smithfield Summer Concert Series on the Main Street Square stage in front of The Smithfield Times building. Garlic is one of the most highly regarded steel pan players in Southeast Virginia.
Saturday, July 12
HAMMY BIRTHDAY – The World’s Oldest Ham’s 123rd Birthday will be celebrated 1-3 p.m. at the Isle of Wight County Museum, 103 Main St., Smithfield. The event is also the launch of the annual Pan Ham Photo Contest. For information visit www.historicisleofwight.com or call 757-356-1223.
Monday, July 14
CITIZENS MEETING – The Carrollton Civic League and the Isle of Wight Citizens’ Association will meet at 7 p.m. in the Sentara St. Luke’s Community Room, 20209 Sentara Way, Carrollton. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources will present its proposal for controlling erosion to stabilize the Ragged Island shoreline. For information call 757-613-6183 or 757-651-1873.
Thursday, July 17
NATURE’S PALETTE – Virginia Living Museum will present Nature’s Palette at the Carrollton Library, 14362 New Haven Lane, Carrollton, 3-4 p.m. Free admission. For information, call 757-238-2641.
BINGO – American Legion Post 49 will host a Community Bingo Game at 7 p.m. at 818 S. Church St., Smithfield. Progressive jackpots approaching $1,000; regular game payouts of $40-$50. 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.
Saturday, July 19
COURTHOUSE WALKING TOUR – Isle of Wight Courthouse Complex Walking Tour will be held at 2 p.m. at Boykin’s Tavern, 17146 Monument Circle. Participants will explore the 19th, 20th and 21st century site and learn the story of its beginnings as well as a few tales of capers and duels. For information visit www.historicisleofwight.com or call 757-356-1223.
Thursday, July 24
PEACH AND CHEESE TRIP – Bus will depart Nike Park at 7:30 a.m. for the Drumheller’s Peach and Cheese Trip for senior citizens, sponsored by Isle of Wight Parks and Recreation. The first stop is Drumheller’s Peach Orchard, where participants can select fresh peaches to take home, followed by a self-paid lunch at Wood Grill Buffet. After lunch, participants will explore The Cheese Shop, featuring sliced cheeses, deli meats, old-fashioned candies, jams and more. Registration is $45 per person. For information or to register, contact mtaylor@isleofwightus.net or 757-357-5951.
BINGO – American Legion Post 49 will host a Community Bingo Game at 7 p.m. at 818 S. Church St., Smithfield. Progressive jackpots approaching $1,000; regular game payouts of $40-$50. 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.
Thursday, July 31
BINGO – American Legion Post 49 will host a Community Bingo Game at 7 p.m. at 818 S. Church St., Smithfield. Progressive jackpots approaching $1,000; regular game payouts of $40-$50. 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
LITTLE THEATER AUDITIONS – The Smithfield Little Theatre will hold auditions for its October performance of “Murder on the Orient Express” at 7 p.m. July 12 and 13 at the theater, 210 N. Church St.
BIBLE SCHOOL – Harvest Fellowship, 19290 Battery Park Road, Smithfield, will host Vacation Bible School July 18-Aug. 1, 5:45-8:30 each evening. For information or to register, visit 4theharvest.org/children or call 757-356-9494.
COFFEE WITH COMMANDER – American Legion Post 49 hosts “Coffee with the Commander” every Monday 8-10 a.m. at 818 S. Church St., Smithfield. Meet the new commander for Legion year 2025-26, Joe Grocki, and other officers while enjoying donuts and coffee. Current
Legionnaires are welcome along with any veterans interested in finding out more about the
post, the American Legion or just looking for camaraderie with fellow veterans.
NAVAL HISTORY – The Isle of Wight Historical Society will present “From Ironclads To Admiral: John Lorimer Worden and Naval Leadership” 2-3 p.m. Sept. 14 at Benn’s United Methodist Church, 14571 Benn’s Church Blvd, Smithfield. John V. Quarstein, director emeritus of the USS Monitor Center at The Mariners’ Museum and Park in Newport News, will give a presentation on Worden, who commanded the USS Monitor in the Battle of Hampton Roads and influenced naval leadership for decades to follow.
AUTUMN VINTAGE MARKET – Scheduled for 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 27 along Main Street in Smithfield, featuring antiques, vintage, repurposed, recycled, restored and farmhouse-style items, plus some crafts and handcrafted items. There will be live music and a food court. Admission is free.
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.
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.
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.
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.
SMITHFIELD FARMERS MARKET – Saturdays 9 a.m.-noon in the BSV parking lot, 115 Main St., Smithfield, featuring seasonal produce, handcrafted and handmade items, farm goods, hot foods, live music and more. For information email sdooley@iwus.net or call 757-357-5182.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 transinformation.
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.