Featured Events in Darlington in May, 2025 (June Updated)

People & Places - A Creative Writing Workshop Join Eithne Longstaff and be inspired by the Local Studies archive material to write creatively. We'll look at paintings, photographs, posters and other images and artefacts relating to the people and places of Darlington and be guided in a series of fun writing exercises to pen a poem or the beginning of a short story. No previous writing experience is needed for this interactive workshop and there will be an opportunity to share our work. Eithne is a local poet and experienced workshop leader. Tuesday 20 May 10.00am-12.00pm Darlington library £3 (Booking required) Information Source: Darlington Libraries | eventbrite

Movie Makers Do you love building with LEGO and shaping your own creations out of Plasticine? Now you can bring them to life through the magic of stop-motion animation. Using a range of models, materials and tools you will create unique characters that you can animate into a movie. Saturdays 1.30pm - 3.00pm Darlington Library Cost: £2.50 Tickets are non refundable Recommended for children 8+. Information Source: Darlington Libraries | eventbrite

Welcome to Derby on the Lake, a Kentucky Derby Viewing Party brought to you by our main event sponsor, Bentley of Pittsburgh! Join us at The Gathering Place at Darlington Lake for a day filled with excitement, horse racing, and fun. Put on your best derby hat and attire and enjoy watching the Kentucky Derby on a big screen with fellow horse racing enthusiasts. Indulge in delicious southern fare cuisine and specialty derby cocktails while placing your bets on your favorite horses. Don't miss out on this unforgettable experience surrounded by beautiful scenery and great company. Get ready to cheer on the horses and feel the thrill of the race at our exclusive viewing party! This is a fundraising event for the Blackhawk Basketball Society. There will be live music by THE MAYBRAYZ , bourbon and wine tastings, cigar bar, chuckaluck table, raffles and more! *Please note, your ticket includes food, cocktails & beer and the incredible experience! Must be 21+ to attend. ID's will be checked at entry. No refunds. Event is rain or shine! *Onsite options to participate in bourbon tasting and wine tastings as well. Located at the registration table will be a sign up for a 30 min tasting session. Cash & venmo will be accepted for raffles, beads & tastings onsite. EVENT TIMELINE: 4:30pm-9:30pm 4:30pm: Registration opens- Dress to impress! 5:00pm: Food stations open- Come Hungry! 4:30pm-8pm : Bar, games, tastings and photo areas will be open upon arrival 6-7:15pm Race Viewing including pre and post race ceremonies 7:15-9:30 Band: THE MAYBRAYZ 9:30-9:45pm Conclusion of event and raffle winners called If you'd like to support our fundrainsing efforts, below are a list or our current sponsorship opportunities. We are also accepting raffle basket donations. Please email us at blackhawkbasketballsociety@gmail.com for more details. Premier Event Sponsor BENTLEY of PITTSBURGH I like big HATS and I cannot lie! A huge thank you to our premier event sponsor, Bentley Automotive of Pittsburgh. Bentley’s logo and brand will be on all event signage at the Derby Registration Table, Guest Tumbler Table, Gaming Ticket Table, Guest Parking, Bentley Lounge, and Photo Areas including event backdrops, cars, and horses. The Bentley of Pittsburgh logo will join BBS Derby On The Lake on the complimentary Derby whiskey glasses presented to every guest for use throughout the venue. Expect to see the Bentley of Pittsburgh brand throughout social media and email outreach surrounding this fine event. Derby Dinner Menu $10,000 Highly visible signage at carving stations, buffet displays, and all food & appetizer stations area will identify your brand as the Derby Dinner Menu Sponsor. Reach the hearts of the guests by providing exquisite southern fare throughout the race watch party provided by Medure's Catering. Butlers will pass Miniature Bourbon Barbecue Meatballs, Homemade Sausage and Cheese Filled Mushrooms, Roma Tomato with Boursin Cheese and Fresh Basil on Toasted Baguette, Miniature Country Ham Biscuits, and Shrimp Cocktail Shooters. If that wasn’t enough to make a Derby Party amazing, appetizer displays will offer guests even more! Self serve stations include Imported and domestic Cheeses with Pepperoni, Genoa Salami, Prosciutto, Soppressata, Capicola, French Breads, Assorted Crackers, Grain Mustard and Fresh Fruit Garnish. A display of Assorted Gourmet Olives, Pepperchini’s, and Marinated Artichoke Hearts will pair with a Grilled Vegetable Presentation. Sweet Potato Hummus, Bruschetta Grilled Flatbreads and Toasted Pita will finalize the appetizer plans. A Homemade Mac and Cheese Station will present Slow Roasted Pulled Pork withHomemade Southern Bourbon Barbecue & Southern Fried Buttermilk Chicken as toppings along with Frank’s Red-Hot Sauce, Southern Style Breadcrumbs and Crumbled Bacon. Want a carving station? Oh my yes! A Chef Attended Carving Station will offer guests Bourbon Marinated Smoked Pork Tenderloin on Miniature Brioche or Smoked Brisket with Mint Pistachio Pesto on Miniature Syrian Sliders. To really elevate the southern taste adventure, Sweet Corn Grits and Fire Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Baby Carrots and Caramelized Bacon will finalize the menu. The Derby Dinner Menu Sponsor will be identified and promoted on social media and any email marketing outreach along with the previously mentioned signage at all Dinner Menu stations. Kentucky Barrel House Bar $5,000 Highly visible signage in and around Kentucky Barrel House and bar and on each of three specialty cocktail barrels. Guests will choose between the traditional Mint Julep, a spicy Kentucky Mule, or a subtle Oaks Lily. Maybe they will choose all three throughout the evening and find their favorite by the race end! Beer on tap to rounds out the choices. Logos will be exhibited on Social media and email outreach for sponsors. Brand signage will be positioned in and around the Kentucky Barrel House and on each cocktail barrel. Coffee and Dessert Parlor $3,000 YOUR brand will join BBS Derby On The Lake in highly visible signage throughout our Coffee and Dessert Parlor area. Guests will recharge on fine southern coffee while savoring the traditional southern delicacies of Freshly Baked Hand Pies paired with Mini Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pies. Nothing could be sweeter than for you to sponsor this amenity. Your brand and logo will be represented as the Coffee and Dessert Parlor Sponsor throughout social media and email outreach surrounding this fine event. Infield Live Entertainment $3,000 Live entertainment will heard throughout the evening and paired with an MC & DJ for both background and feature music. Guests will have the opportunity to sip and listen while gaming and visiting. Highly visible logo signage at DJ/MC booth and hanging within band area will promote your organization and sponsorship. The MC will announce your sponsorship at regular intervals throughout the race event. Social media and email outreach will complete your branding. Derby Tasting Cabin $1,500 Sip the night away by sampling a range of wines or bourbons hand picked by the winemaker and bourbon concierge themselves. Highly visible signage in and around Derby Tasting cabin and on wine & bourbon displays. Social media and email outreach. Gentleman’s Cigar Lounge $1,500 Light up your evening with a fine, rare cigar along the lakeside beach during the BBS Derby On The Lake. YOUR brand can become the sponsor of the premium cigar display and lakeside smoking area for this elegant evening. Volunteers will be on hand to help choose, cut, and light cigars for guests to purchase. Highly visible signage of your logo will be positioned in and around Gentleman’s Cigar Lounge at the lakeside beach and on the cigar displays. As always, inclusion of branding will be found on social media posts and email outreach. Mocktail & Recovery Wagon $750 ( Taken: Gateway Rehabilitation) A wagon filled with water, mocktails, and electrolyte drinks will be strategically placed to provide refreshments for designated drivers and responsible guests as well as help Derby patrons prepare to feel great on Sunday morning. YOUR logo will be prominently displayed as the sponsor for this healthy option at the BBS Derby On The Lake on the wagon. To compliment the signage, your brand and logo will be represented as the Mocktail & Recovery Wagon Sponsor throughout social media and email outreach surrounding this fine event. Big Gaming Grandstands Sponsorship opportunities: Head & Tails Festival Beads - $500 Chuck-A-Luck Table - $500 Horse Buckets Race Wagering - $1200 Highly visible shared signage in and around each game station will represent your brand for each gaming opportunity. The Head & Tails Festival Beads game will include verbal recognition by MC throughout the fun and exciting game on the event floor. Sponsorship logos will be projected on race media before and after streamed Kentucky Derby Races for the Horse Buckets Race Wagering sponsor. A crowd favorite, you can be sure that the Chuck-A-Luck Table will draw guests to the excitement and engage them with your brand represented on the table. For all sponsors of the gaming area, social media posts and email outreach logos will be standard provisions. Derby Wishes Board - $250 Derby Wishes Board will provide guests with the opportunity to directly fund affordable and impactful resources. The sponsors of the Derby Wishes Board will have their logo and brand represented on the board. This is an evening you won't want to miss! Information Source: Events 143, LLC | eventbrite

Contemplating and meditating on the famous Buddhist diagram of the Wheel of Life- learn how we can use it to guide us in our meditation practice and inspire us in our spiritual life. This course is suitable for everyone. Information Source: Atisha Kadampa Meditation Centre | eventbrite

Join Clemson Extension Agent Carmen Ketron on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in the second-floor kitchen at the Darlington County Clemson Extension office for a curated learning experience to prepare participants for the Core and Category 3 Commercial Pesticide Applicator exams. This course is intended for commercial and non-commercial applicators who must be licensed in Core and Category 3 in South Carolina, is designed for preparation and practice, and does not include any official certification/licensing exams. Visit Clemson's Department of Pesticide Regulation to learn about pesticide licensure and schedule exams. Program participants registered for lunch will receive a box lunch from The Sweet Spot , with lunch orders and dietary restrictions/preferences to be placed on the morning of the event. Otherwise, lunch is on your own. ------ Clemson Extension is required by the USDA to offer program participants the opportunity to self-identify. By voluntarily providing us with your demographic information, we are able to more accurately document the impacts we are making to better the lives of the citizens of South Carolina. Should you require special accommodations due to a disability, please notify our office ten days prior to the event. Civil Rights Statement Information Source: Clemson Extension Horticulture | eventbrite

Constructing Excellence North East are pleased to invite you to our monthly Teesside Built Environment Networking. This relaxed and informal networking event will provide an opportunity for you to meet and catch up with construction professionals from the Tees Valley area. Refreshments & light lunch will be served. Please make sure you let us know of any dietaries or allergies when booking. Free parking is located on site at the Airport. If you are unsure if your organisation is a member before booking please check out our website https://cene.org.uk/membership/our-members/ Information Source: Constructing Excellence in the North East | eventbrite

Krafty Kids Does your child love creating, designing, and getting hands-on with fun projects? Join us after-school as we inspire creativity through a wide range of craft activities utilising The Hive's bespoke equipment. Thursdays 3.45pm - 5.00pm Saturdays 12.00pm - 1.00pm Darlington Library Cost: £2.50 Recommended for children aged 8+. Tickets are non-refundable Information Source: Darlington Libraries | eventbrite

Craft and Chat in the Hive Looking for a friendly creative outlet and a place to unwind with like-minded makers? Our weekly creative social group is the perfect space to explore your artistic side and try out new crafts utilising The Hive's extensive range of equipment. Thursdays 10:00am - 11.30am Darlington Library Cost: £5.00 For adults aged 16+. (Home-schooled children aged 13+ are welcome to attend with an adult) Tickets are non-refundable. Information Source: Darlington Libraries | eventbrite

Movie Makers Do you love building with LEGO and shaping your own creations out of Plasticine? Now you can bring them to life through the magic of stop-motion animation. Using a range of models, materials and tools you will create unique characters that you can animate into a movie. Saturdays 1.30pm - 3.00pm Darlington Library Cost: £2.50 Tickets are non refundable Recommended for children 8+. Information Source: Darlington Libraries | eventbrite

Mini Maypoles In this craft session you will be creating your very own mini maypole using a range of card, beads, bells and sparkly treasures. All materials are provided. Wednesday 28th May 2.00pm - 3.30pm The Hive @ Darlington Library Recommended for ages 6+ £3.50, Booking required Information Source: Darlington Libraries | eventbrite

Marvellous Mugs Design and create your personalised Mug and give it the wow factor using our infusible ink pens and Cricut Heat Press machine. Mugs and all materials are provided. You may need to collect your mug after the session due to the cooling time needed. Friday 30th May 2.00pm - 3.30pm The Hive @ Darlington Library Recommended for ages 9+ £5, Booking required Information Source: Darlington Libraries | eventbrite