Visit JoCo, NC

09/23/2026

Fall in Johnston County is getting a little national attention 🍂

We’re excited to be featured in PARADE Magazine's roundup of five fall destinations worth visiting for more than just the foliage. The article highlights JoCo alongside destinations across the country and shares some of the experiences that make this season a great time to visit North Carolina’s Piedmont.

From Benson Mule Days and the Clayton Harvest Festival to the Red Hot Dog Trail, Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site, and stops along our Beer, Wine & Shine Trail, there are plenty of reasons to plan a fall trip to Johnston County.

Check out the full Parade feature and see why JoCo made the list: bit.ly/3SXkJcw

Bright Leaf Hot Dogs

From history haven Williamsburg to Sante Fe to Charleston, theses trips offer fun fall activities centered around more than just leaves.

09/23/2026

Saddle up! Benson Mule Days is back this weekend, September 24–27! 🐴

Four days of small-town tradition bring live music and dancing, rodeo action, mule competitions, carnival rides and, of course, the Mule Days Parade rolling right through Benson.

Swipe through for a look at what’s happening, then start planning your Mule Days weekend and explore the full schedule here: bit.ly/4ykWIuH

🎶 Live music & dancing
🤠 Rodeo action
🐴 Mule events & competitions
🎡 Carnival rides
🥁 Mule Days Parade
🍴 Food, family fun & more

There’s a lot packed into four days and more than a few reasons to say, “I love Benson!”

Benson Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

09/22/2026

Dinner and a show? The Paradise Mexican Buffet understood the assignment 💃🌮

Selma’s new Mexican buffet brings authentic Mexican cuisine, house-made corn tortillas, flavorful meats, and plenty of options for filling your plate (and then filling it again). But during our visit, the experience went well beyond the buffet with live musicians making their way through the restaurant and dancers joining in on the fun.

Come hungry, stay for the entertainment, and see what’s new in Selma!

📍 Paradise Mexican Buffet
67 J.R. Road, Suite 300, Selma, NC 27576

09/17/2026

In case you missed it, there’s more to our first episode of Driving JoCo than what made it on screen!

Our latest blog brings everything from Episode 1 together in one place, starting with the story of DeWayne's Garden & Gift Center and how this locally owned Selma business grew from a roadside stand into a shopping destination 🛍️

Already watched the episode? We’re taking the story one step further with a suggested Smithfield-Selma itinerary designed to turn one stop at DeWayne’s into an overnight trip. We’ve added more shopping, local dining, attractions, and places to explore so you can make more of your time in JoCo.

And there’s even more behind Driving JoCo itself. Meet our host, Josh, get to know 2Digh4, the North Carolina band behind our “Carolina Crazy” theme song, and catch up on Episode 1 all in one place.

Watch it. Read it. Then Drive it.

Catch up on Driving JoCo and start planning your own trip: bit.ly/4cNzm8P

For our very first stop on Driving JoCo, we’re pulling into DeWayne’s Garden & Gift Center—a place where plants are plentiful, gifts are everywhere, and apparently you can spend way more time browsing than you originally planned.

09/16/2026

Not your average board meeting 🐢🌲

Each quarter, we take one of Executive Board meetings out into the community, giving our board members a chance to experience more of the places, people and projects shaping tourism in Johnston County.

This month took us to Howell Woods Environmental Learning Center in Four Oaks! Along with a little official business, our board met a few of the reptiles that call Howell Woods home, heard from Johnston Community College about an exciting opportunity that could create increased tourism potential for JoCo, and headed outside to tour part of the property.

It’s also a chance for our board to experience firsthand a place we promote to visitors throughout the year (and we’ll take a trail tour over a conference room any day!)

📍 Howell Woods Environmental Learning Center
6601 Devils Racetrack Rd., Four Oaks, NC 27524

09/15/2026

🎄 When did DeWayne's become more than a place to shop and start becoming a place people traveled to see?

Get a preview of the story, then watch Episode 1 of Driving JoCo on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vwYlvcdgvMI?si=h80F8iqqEe5jmGpH

For DeWayne Lee, the shift became clear about 10 years ago as shoppers began traveling from all over to experience DeWayne’s Christmas Land. But what turned those first visits into lasting relationships goes beyond the decorations and displays.

It’s the Southern hospitality, customer service, and simple act of making everyone who walks through the door feel welcome.

📍 DeWayne’s Garden & Gift Center
1575 Outlet Center Dr., Selma, NC 27576

09/14/2026

Exit 95 may look a little different, but there are still plenty of reasons to make a detour in Smithfield 🛍️

With all the wonderful hotels, restaurants and shopping ready to welcome you just off of I-95, don't let a little construction around the U.S. 70 Business bridge keep you away! Pull off, stretch your legs and make a little more out of your stop by choosing Exit 95.

Whether Smithfield is your destination or a relaxing break along the way, there’s plenty waiting just off the interstate (and a comfortable bed sounds pretty good after a long day on the road!)

Plan your Smithfield stop: bit.ly/2Yr7nbK

Traffic and construction updates: bit.ly/3Rmrvao

09/11/2026

💜 Make It An October In JoCo

Fall festival season is in full swing in Johnston County (and October is giving you plenty of reasons to get out and explore!)

Save this for your October plans and discover even more events happening around JoCo: bit.ly/3UIu4oY

🚂 October 2–4 — Selma Railroad Days Festival | Selma

🥨 October 10 — Oktoberfest & Harvest Market | Smithfield

🎡 October 22–25 — Clayton Harvest Festival | Clayton

Town of Selma | Downtown Smithfield NC | Clayton Chamber of Commerce

09/10/2026

DeWayne's was our first stop on Driving JoCo, but there’s plenty more to explore nearby!

Turn your visit into a Smithfield-Selma shopping trip with local eats, an overnight stay and even more JoCo experiences along the way. And if you haven't already, get the full story behind DeWayne’s by watching Episode 1 of Driving JoCo at bit.ly/4zXdVfB

🪴 Start at DeWayne's Garden & Gift Center
🌮 Grab lunch at San Marcos Mexican Restaurant
🛍️ Browse 75+ stores at Carolina Premium Outlets
🍕 Stop for dinner at Massimo Pizza or Curry Corner
🚶 Walk Downtown Smithfield or the Neuse Riverwalk
🏨 Stay nearby and keep exploring the next morning

San Marcos Mexican Restaurant/smithfieldnc | Carolina Premium Outlets | Massimo Pizza | Ava Gardner Museum | The Rudy Theatre, Live at The Rudy

09/10/2026

Well, we always knew Benson Mule Days was one of a kind!

Forbes recently named the 77th Annual Benson Mule Days one of five fall festivals across the country that are “uniquely quirky,” highlighting the mule races, rodeos, wagon rides, live music, parade and agricultural traditions that have kept this Johnston County celebration going for more than 75 years.

Even better? The article features plenty of JoCo, with photos from Mule Days and ideas for turning a trip to Benson into a larger Johnston County adventure. While you’re here, explore Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site, visit Broadslab Distillery, and taste your way along the JoCo BBQ Trail and the Red-Hot Dog Trail.

Read the article here: bit.ly/3UZSJp1

Then mark your calendar for September 24–27. There’s nothing quite like Mule Days, or a Johnston County adventure!

Benson Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc. | Bright Leaf Hot Dogs

These five fall festivals, ranging from mule and worm races to garlic chocolate chip cookies demonstrations, are among the quirkiest in the country.