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Saturday’s festival openers are Los Sabrosos Del Son, coastal Carolina musicians playing Caribbean and Latin rhythms. They’ll get the morning started with the high-energy sounds of Salsa, Merengue, and Bachata. See (and dance with) them Saturday morning at the Riverfront stage, 11a.

3:50p The online Ol’ Front Porch Music schedule is here.

If y’all are old school and want to print out the schedule, click here.

2:42p Gas pumps are back operating at The Pig.

This weekend the story is Ol’ Front Porch Music, happening now til dark today, then Saturday 11a til 10p. Just walk the village and take it all in.

La Cocina del Coqui Food Truck at the brewery today, with music in the beer garden (part of Ol’ Front Porch). Moores Creek Bluegrass play at Mariposa tonight, 5-7p.

The Farmers’ Market provides Saturday morning from 8a-11a on Hodges St. Stop in at Broad Strokes Gallery for the October Artist Open Exhibit & Sale. The Provision Company hosts a beer tasting Saturday 3 – 4:30p, check out Shortway brews. At the brewery Cousins Maine Lobster food truck, with again music in the beer garden (part of Ol’ Front Porch).

Sunday morning service @ Lou Mac Park, 8:30a. Mariposa is open for Sat-Sun-Mon, bakery in the mornings, wine bar in the evenings.

It’s all in What’s Happening.

1:25p Ol’ Front Porch 2026 is underway. The schedule is here.

From the Riverfront Stage minutes ago, Farayi kicked off the festival:

At a nearby porch, Mark Tesh sang about the harbor cats:

8:44a From Town Hall:

8:29a The Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival starts today, 1p with performers at the Riverfront stage, on Freemason and on 3rd Avenue.

It’s not just Riverfront stage headliners that make the festival what it is, it’s the familiar local bands and groups that jam on the porches and bring flavor to the festival.

One of those local favorites is the Gospel Ensemble. They draw such a large crowd they’ve been move from the porch to the pulpit, performing now inside the Oriental United Methodist Church.

They’ll play twice on Saturday, at 11a & 3p.

Other favorites playing this weekend: The Dust Parade, Mac McWilliams, Noah Cobb, Ken Belangia, Hoff ‘n’ Finch, Jill & Shane Harris, Moores Creek Bluegrass, Harbor Sounds, Mike Bramble, and more.

The Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival has food from local non-profits, craft vendors, and thirty performers playing this weekend. Find the maps, schedules, and performer information online at olfrontporch.org.

12:23p From Town Hall: water valves replacements are finished for this week. Most of Oriental remains under a boil water advisory until test results are received on Friday.

Replacements resume next week with replacements on Church St (Monday), and on Factory & Water Streets (Tuesday and Wednesday).

8:49a Robbie Fulks’ music career spans more than 3 decades. He began by playing bluegrass in the band Special Consensus before emerging as a solo artist in Chicago during the mid-1990s. His song-writing is noted as often bitingly funny, his sound playing in a space shared by country, folk, pop, and bluegrass.

Fulks is known to perform with comic improvisers; he is a regular at Second City’s holiday fundraisers and has shared the stage with talents like Michael McKean, Tina Fey, Bob Odenkirk, and Fred Armisen.

His Album Upland Stories was nominated for a Grammy for Best Folk Album and the song “Alabama at Night” was nominated for a Grammy for Best American Roots Song.

Have a listen as Robbie sings ‘I Just Live a Country Song’:

Robbie takes the Riverfront Stage 5p Friday night.

See the full performance schedule here.

For those needing handicapped parking and seating, or hearing assistance at this weekend’s Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival, organizer Marjorie Dufek has a PSA to help out:

12:06p Gas should be back at The Pig Thursday by 2p. Billy Flockhart writes in with this update:

8:31a Another Water Valve replacement is happening today, affecting the same areas as yesterday evening: from Mildred and Broad Streets, from North and Midyette Streets, and Neuse Dr and Vandemere St to the bridge and surrounding areas.

PW Director Daniel Early says the outage will be 1-2 hours, but does not have a time frame for when the outage will occur. “The contractor isn’t on site yet and it depends on how long it takes them to expose everything.”

6:32a Caleb Caudle plays his first Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival this weekend.

He draws inspiration from legendary country musicians like Johnny Cash.

With song titles like “Fox Got The Chicken,” “Sequoia Polaroids,” and “The Brim,” Caudle is known for his rich storytelling, road-worn sound, and “high-proof bourbon” style of songwriting.

Have a listen:

The full weekend lineup is here.

Parts of the Festival are pedestrian only. What does that mean in practice? Organizer Marjorie Dufek explains:

Tonight is the first meeting of the Divorce Recovery Group. It’s open to anyone dealing with the loss of a relationship (from breakup, death, divorce, etc.). They meet tonight at the Perry-Griffin House, 7p.

3:23p From Public Works Director Daniel Early, crews will be working on one more valve this afternoon.

Early estimates water will be out for 1 to 2 hours around 5-6p this evening in the following areas: from Mildred and Broad Streets, from North and Midyette Streets, and Neuse Dr and Vandemere St to the bridge and surrounding areas.

10:01a Town Hall just rescinded the boil water notice for the following areas:

The rest of Oriental is still under a boil water notice. The rescission notice is here.

8:53a The first weekend in October means music in Oriental. It’s the Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival, this Friday & Saturday, Oct 2 & 3.

Grammy-nominated vocalist, composer, and educator Farayi opens the festival Friday at 1p on the Riverfront stage.

She’s highly regarded for her ability to seamlessly blend the American folk music, hymns, and gospel of her rural Idaho childhood with the richness of blues, R&B, and jazz.

Have a listen:

Learn more about this weekend’s line up here.

Public Works Director Daniel Early tells TownDock that today’s water valve replacements will be at Neuse Drive and Vandermere and then at the corner of Ragan Rd and Link Ln.

A short water outage is expected from Mildred and Broad Streets, Ragan Rd and Link Ln, and North and Midyette Streets all the way to the Oriental Bridge for the first valve replacement.

The second outage will affect Ragan Rd and Link Ln to corner of Neuse Dr and Vandemere St including all of Link Ln, Neuse Drive, Gull Circle, and a small piece of Ragan Rd.

Outages are expected to be 1-2 hours.

11:24a It’s a fairly quiet Monday. The winds are mostly calm; northwest around 5 mph. As is the temperature: a high near 81.

You’re invited to go sailing on the creeks later this afternoon with Bow to Stern, at 3p & 5p. You can sit in on The Gathering this evening at 6p.

Or just hang in Lou Mac Park and watch the world go by.

Crews are working on the water valve connector at Broad St and Ragan Rd today. If there are any water outages, Public Works Director Daniel Early says they’re only expected to last 1-2 hours max, unless they uncover any unexpected issues.

Areas affected are: Midyette and Broad, to Mildred and Broad, down to the corner of Ragan and Link, to Lupton and the Gilgo corner.

If there is time, crews will move to the valve at Link Ln and Ragan Rd. Water outages in that area are also expected to be 1-2 hours, barring any issues.

Areas affected will be: the corner of Mildred and Broad, the corner of Ragan and Link, corner of Midyette and North, all the way to the bridge, and all adjacent roads.

3:56p An antiques & collectibles sale, PHRF & Dinghy races, and a Charity Gala for a good cause. It’s what’s happening this weekend in Oriental.

Tonight, Taqueria San Luis is at the Brewery at 4p and Waypoints plays in the beer garden at 5:30p. Sample the new fall menu at Gretchen’s Bistro form 5-9p, hear Mike Bramble play live at the Red Rooster at 7p.

Saturday, pickup fresh flowers or veggies at the Oriental Farmer’s Market at 8a. Head to the Oriental history Museum at 9a for their Antiques & Collectibles sale.

Join the Oriental Dinghy Club’s keelboat races at 1p. Cuban sandwiches and more at the Brewery courtesy La Cocina del Coqui, 4p.

Head to Harborfest for HeartWorks, a Charity Gala supporting the summer and afterschool programs for the kids of Pamlico County at 5p.

TeraTones plays the beer garden at 6p.

Sunday morning at 8:30a, join OUMC at Lou Mac Park for Sunday Services river side. Dinghy races start in the creeks at 1:30p.

Check out the work of September Artist of the month Jay DeChesere at Broad Strokes Gallery 10a-5p Fri & Sat, or 11a-4p Sun. Mariposa serves fresh baked goods in the mornings, wine & charcuterie in the evenings: Saturday, Sunday & Monday mornings 7-11a (bakery) and evenings 3-9p (wine bar).

It’s all in What’s Happening.

11:35a Your chance to win $5k in October… will soon disappear. Of the 100 No Strings Raffle Tickets for the Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival Fundraiser, only 20 are left.

Every ticket provides a 1 in 100 chance of winning $5K. If you buy the limit of 3 tickets, that’s about a 1 in 33 chance. You can get yours here.

11:11a If your water was out yesterday, it will be out again today. From Town Hall:

Affected locations include: Midyette, Mildred, Ragan, Hodges, Windward, Whittaker Point, Seafarer, Skipper, Audubon, Peterson, and all adjacent roads.

6:56p Water update: Commissioner Jordan reports the water valve replacement is complete. Public Works Director Daniel Early says water should be restored shortly.

The Boil Water Advisory below remains in effect.

6:08p TownDock.net spoke with Commissioner Paul Jordan, who was outside the Town Hall water plant with Public Works Director Daniel Early overseeing the ongoing water valve replacement.

Several areas of town are still experiencing low or no water. Early said he expects it to return in the next “one to two hours,” or by about 8p this evening.

A boil water advisory is in effect.

5:24p The boil water notice has expanded to include more areas of Oriental. From Town Hall:

The full advisory is here.

10:33a North and northeast winds may have pushed water levels up, but they’ve also brought thermal a reprieve: today’s high is a cool & breezy 71. Winds are at 15-20 mph, gusts up to 35.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Neuse River Marine Forecast
• Oriental Water Level Gauge
• Oriental Weather Station

70s will temps last through the weekend. 80 degree weather returns Monday.

With the official start of Autumn, Gretchen’s Bistro debuts their seasonal fall menu, now through Saturday. Come out and sample the chef’s autumn themed creations, handcrafted cocktails, and curated wine pairings.

Tonight, Jeff Durham plays jazz saxophone from 6-8p. Reservations are recommended, walk-ins are welcome.

Oriental’s History Museum, having gone through their collection, is having an Antiques & Collectibles sale, 9a-1p this weekend.

It’s your chance to pick up vintage items, and maybe a piece of Oriental’s history. Items for sale include a vintage sewing machine, antique high chair, antique dolls, tea cups, plant stands, vintage fans, a German cuckoo clock, and more.

Proceeds fund improvements at the Museum.

11:55a More from Town hall re work on the water system:

Water system work underway this morning – photo taken on Broad St:

(Joe Clark photo)

3:12p There is a boil water advisory in parts of Oriental. From Town Hall:

Then complete advisory is here.

10:37a The new week is upon us, and Salty Celeste delivers up Pet Horoscopes.

There’s daily horoscopes for human readers, too.

Tropical Storm Fay almost reached hurricane strength over the weekend (she got to 70mph). But that’s it, the storm is weakening now, and is expected to dissipate in a couple days, staying over the open Atlantic.

• Tropical Storm Fay Tracking Chart
• Tropical Storm Fay Forecaster’s Discussion & Computer Models
• Hurricane Center

Today is the warm one for this week, highs may touch 90. Later in the week, we get autumn~ish mid 70s.

The first official day of autumn 2026 is Sept 23.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Neuse River Marine Forecast

2:05p Tropical Depression Six has been declared… wayyy far away in the east Atlantic.

The storm system is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm, becoming Tropical Storm Fay.

Fay is forecast to meander in the east Atlantic for a few days, dissipating early next week. No hurricane, nothin’ anywhere near here.

That’s all.

• Tropical Depression Six Tracking Chart
• Tropical Depression Six Forecaster’s Discussion & Computer Models
• Hurricane Center

3:07p Tonight at the Red Rooster (Silos) Sean Aldridge plays. At New Village Brewery, Packhouse plays the beer garden.

Saturday get low cost rabies shots for your pet, 8a-11a behind the Pamlico County Courthouse. The Farmers’ Market is on Hodges St near the harbor. Be on the lookout for bicyclists, hundreds are participating in Bike MS, and will be riding in both Craven and Pamlico counties. Experience Dungeons & Dragons adventure game.

Saturday at the brewery, Taqueria San Luis food truck and Noah Jackson Cobb plays the beer garden.

Sunday morning is OUMC services riverside at Lou Mac Park at 8:30a.

Get your fresh baked goods from Mariposa Saturday, Sunday, & Monday 7-11a, and charcuterie & wine flights in the evenings, 3-9p.

It’s all in What’s Happening.

1:12p For mid September, there’s not much going on in the Atlantic.

Invest 98 meandered aimlessly mid Atlantic earlier this week. Now gonzo. Invest 99 is now been watched in the East Atlantic. Even if it forms, the resulting storm is forecast to go north & east, staying far far away from our shores.

• Hurricane Center

Low 90s this afternoon, mid 80s for the weekend.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station
• Neuse River Marine Forecast

1:02p Spandex Alert: You may notice colorful arrows on street signs around town. They are directional guides to bicyclists who are participating in Bike MS, a 2-day cycling event based in New Bern. It is this weekend.

Bike MS raises funds to support people living with multiple sclerosis. Some of the bicyclists are on shorter routes that keep them near New Bern, but others choose longer rides (up to 100 miles). The “bikers” on the 75 & 100 mile routes will be coming through our town over the weekend.

One of those tough riders is Oriental’s Julia Tingle, who will be pedaling miles for the cause. You can donate to show your support (it all goes to fight MS).

Julia’s Bike MS page is here.

9:14a If you see Ben Casey today, it’s happy birthday time.

As a birthday gift, TownDock is including a photo of Ben that may be from a few birthdays ago.

(click photo to see Big Ben)

10:22a The 2026 Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival is set for Oct 2 & 3, 2026. The performers are booked, the schedule is set.

Ol’ Front Porch is unique in that is free to attend. It all gets paid for from folks that donate, sponsor… and this year… with a raffle.

The $5,000 “No Strings Attached” raffle is underway. Only 100 tickets will be sold. The winner will be announced during the festival, from the Riverfront Stage.

Your odds are better than in most drawings. You have a 1 in 100 chance of winning $5,000. Tickets at this link.

3:12p Movies, music, and a chance to get rid of household hazardous waste. It’s the weekend in Oriental.

Tonight Capone’s A Taste of Philly is at the Brewery, 4-8p. As for music, you’re spoiled for choice:

The Aldridge Pittman Project is at the Brewery, 6-8:30p. The Red Rooster (behind the Silos) hosts Patrick Bliss at 7p. Christie Lenée returns to Oriental to play The Old Theater at 7:30p.

Saturday, visit the Farmer’s Market on Hodges Street before 11a, drop off your hazardous household waste at the County Courthouse from 9a-1p, visit the Pet Food Pantry at the Library to pick up or donate, 10a – 2p, then stroll into Nautical Wheelers to taste South African Wines at 2p & 3p.

Town favorite Jasmine Tasty Thai is back at the Brewery, 4-8p and Hoff ‘n’ Finch play in the beer garden 6-8:30p.

Sunday starts OUMC’s 4 week sermon series and book group on community, drawing inspiration from Theo of Golden. Service is at Lou Mac Park by the river, 8:30a, inside at the Sanctuary at 10:30a.

The Oriental Woman’s Club hosts an open house 1-3p, and everyone is invited. Take in the Sunday evening movie at The Old Theater: “Being There” starts at 5p.

Visit Broad Strokes Gallery Fri-Sat 10a-5p, Sun 11a-4p to see their updated gallery and September artists of the month.

Get your fresh baked goods from Mariposa Saturday, Sunday, & Monday 7-11a, and charcuterie & wine flights in the evenings, 3-9p.

Sunday morning church service at Lou Mac Park by the river, 8:30a.

Find all the details in What’s Happening

1:44p Christie Lenée took first place at the International Fingerstyle Guitar Championship, and she has been named Named “Best Acoustic Guitarists in the World Right Now” by Guitar World.

Sometimes, the best in the world come to Oriental. Christie Lenée plays Oriental’s Old Theater tonight.