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Outer Banks Wedding Expo
First Flight High School, Kill Devil Hills
www.outerbanksweddingassoc.org
The largest wedding event on the Outer
Banks takes place every year in early to
mid-January. More than 700 brides and
families attend the Sunday exhibit and
meet with many of the businesses on the
beach that cater to the local wedding
industry. Foods can be sampled from
caterers, photographers display their work,
and musicians play samples of their music
throughout the day. A fashion show tops
off the event.
Dare County Schools Annual Art Show
Glenn Eure's Ghost Fleet
Gallery of Fine Art
210 East Driftwood Street, Gallery Row
Nags Head
(252) 441-6584
For one week in mid-January, the Dare
County Schools put together an art show
that showcases works by kids from seven
public schools, grades K-12. If you like children's art, this is the show for you. The
works range from delightful watercolors to
wild chairs crafted after such artists as
Georgia O'Keeffe and Picasso. This show is
primarily for viewing-it's difficult to wrestle work away from parents. Don't expect
to make any purchases, although some
high-school students may be more inclined
to sell for some pocket money. The show's
reception is on a Sunday, generally at 2:00 P.M. Call for more information. Admission is
free, and you can't beat the brownies and
other goodies they serve. |
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Frank Stick Memorial Art Show
Glenn Eure's Ghost Fleet
Gallery of Fine Art
210 East Driftwood Street, Gallery Row
Nags Head
(252) 473-5558
This art show has been held in early February every year since 1978 and features
the work of more than 160 artists. If you
want to submit work, you must be at least
18 years old and a Dare County resident or
a member of the Dare County Arts Council, which sponsors the show. The evening
reception is eagerly anticipated, and local
artists and patrons flock to the gallery to
view the newest offerings from the art
world. But don't be shy; the event welcomes visitors to partake of the sights,
sounds, and tastes of the evening. If you
can't make the reception, stop by during
the month of February and view this
always exciting and innovative exhibit.
This is the best venue to see what
area artists have been producing of late. Many artists go out on a limb, introducing
new styles. It's a fun show, and the reception becomes an annual get-together for
locals and visitors alike.
A Literary Evening
Glenn Eure's Ghost Fleet Gallery
210 East Driftwood Street, Gallery Row
Nags Head
(252) 441-6584
This free event is held in mid-February as
part of the monthlong Frank Stick Memorial Art Show. Members of the Dare County
Writers Group and other guests read original recent works. Poetry as well as
humorous essays have a forum here. The
group, sponsored by the Dare County
Arts Council, meets monthly at the Kill
Devil Hills branch of the Dare County
Library. It's open to all writers, and meetings are informal.
Roanoke Island 1862-A Civil War
Living-History Weekend
Roanoke Island Festival Park, Manteo
(252) 475-1500
This two-day festival explores the Civil
War era and its effects on the Outer
Banks. Reenactors and living-history
encampments bring the era to life as do
crafters, demonstrations, presentations,
kids activities, and more. It's held on President's Day weekend and is free.
Elizabethan Rendezvous
Penguin Isle
(252) 473-1061
This seven-course gourmet feast includes
musical entertainment and dramatic interpretations. Tickets are about $75 per person and include food, wine, and beer.
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Priceless Pieces Past & Present Quilt
Extravaganza
Roanoke Island Festival Park Art Gallery
Manteo
(252) 475-1500
If you love quilts and the fabric arts, you'll
love this popular annual show. The show
features old and new quilts made by or
belonging to Dare County residents. There
are also demonstrations. It's held throughout the month of March.
Polar Plunge
(252) 261-4346
The Polar Plunge raises money for the
"We Build People" campaign to help
impoverished people on the Outer Banks
attend programs at the Outer Banks
YMCA. Child care, the swimming pool, and
summer camp programs are also supplemented by taking the plunge. Refreshments are served before and after the
event, which takes place on the beach at
the Ramada Inn in Kill Devil Hills.
St. Patrick's Day Parade
NC 12, Nags Head
(252) 441-4116
The St. Patrick's Day Parade is held the
Sunday before St. Patrick's Day every year.
The parade begins at the Nags Head Fishing Pier at MP 12 on the Beach Road and
proceeds north to about MP 10. Reputed
to be one of the largest parades of its
kind in North Carolina, the event is fun for
the whole family. Float participants throw
candy, so wear something with pockets!
Kelly's serves free hot dogs and sodas
after the parade and celebrates with an
evening of live entertainment. All events
are free.
Pirate's Cove Inshore/Offshore
Fishing School
Pirate's Cove Yacht Club
Manteo-Nags Head Causeway, Manteo
(252) 473-3906, (800) 762-0245
Going strong since 1993, this one-day,
mid-March program features North Carolina fishing experts conducting hands-on
round-table sessions at Pirate's Cove
Yacht Club. The three-session program is
held at the club's restaurant, clubhouse,
and fitness center. Pick up an entry form
at Pirate's Cove Yacht Club. The day is
rounded out with a pig pickin' and beer
social. The fee is $85 per person. Anglers of all skill levels are welcome. Offshore
fishing and bait-rigging are demonstrated.
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Kelly's Midnight Easter Egg Hunt
Kelly's Outer Banks Restaurant & Tavern
US 158, MP 10 1/2, Nags Head
(252) 441-4116
Adults enjoy searching for treats by flashlight. It's free fun. Anyone 21 or older may
participate in this late-night egg hunt on
the restaurant premises. The event's exact
date depends on when Easter falls. Participants find eggs that may be empty or
contain prizes such as gift certificates, free
drink coupons, or free T-shirt coupons.
Kitty Hawk Kites
Annual Easter Egg Hunt
US 158, MP 12, Nags Head
(252) 441-4124, (800) FLY-THIS
This event is held at Kitty Hawk Kites in
Nags Head, with the specific date
dependent on when Easter falls. Kids
enjoy chalk coloring contests, a variety of
games, and an Easter candy dig on the
premises. Small fries get a kick out of
meeting KHK's fuzzy brown mascot Wil-Bear Wright. All activities are free.
Outer Banks Home Show
(252) 449-8232
The Outer Banks Home Show typically is
held the weekend before Easter. Builders,
products, lending agencies, and other services are exhibited to consumers. Expect
about 75 exhibits of home improvement
items from hot tubs to tiles. A nominal fee
admits you, and the proceeds are donated
to local charity. Call for location.
The Outer Banks Senior Games
Thomas A. Baum Senior Center
300 Mustian Street, Kill Devil Hills
(252) 441-1181
Dare County seniors age 55 and older are
eligible to compete in the Outer Banks
Senior Games, a competition involving
shuffleboard, billiards, spin casting, golf,
bowling, horseshoes, table tennis, and
much more. All ages are welcome to
watch and cheer for the competitors in
this mid-April event, which has been happening every year since 1988.
A modified version of the games is
offered for disabled seniors. Volunteers
work with each individual needing assistance. Games for this group can include
door basketball and rubber horseshoes.
The local group of seniors sends hundreds of competitors to state competitions every year. Some have gone on to
the national contest. Festivities include
dinner at a local restaurant. The registration fee is $10 to participate in four events
including the arts competition (see next
listing) and includes lunch on opening day
and track and field day.
Tux and Topsiders Dance
North Carolina Maritime Museum on
Roanoke Island
(252) 475-1750
Hors d'oeuvres, music, and a silent auction
are some of the fun things happening at the
Tux and Topsiders Dance in Manteo. Dress is
"yacht-club casual," and proceeds benefit
the North Carolina Maritime Museum. Tuxedoes are not required. The 2006 event will
be held April 22 at 8:00 P.M. Tickets are $50
and a silent auction will be held.
The Outer Banks Silver Arts Competition
Thomas A. Baum Senior Center
300 Mustian Street, Kill Devil Hills
(252) 441-1181
This is the art component of the Outer
Banks Senior Games, featuring an exhibition of talent and craftsmanship in the
visual, literary, heritage, and performing
arts. The events last for several days, culminating in a free evening performance at
the Kitty Hawk Elementary School. The
$10 games registration fee covers entry
into the arts competition.
Inner-Tribal Powwow "Journey Home"
Cape Hatteras School, Buxton
(252) 995-4440
www.nativeamericanmuseum.org
For something truly special come to
the Inner-Tribal Powwow put on by the
folks at the Frisco Native American
Museum and Natural History Center. The
Inner-Tribal Powwow gathers 75 to 100
members of many different tribes for a
weekend of celebration on the ancestral
grounds of Hatteras Island. Tribal representatives come from all over North Carolina, the East Coast, and from as far away
as Canada, Ohio, Washington State, and
Arizona. It's a family event, with emphasis
on the sharing of cultures. Many of the
Native Americans dress in full regalia. Storytelling, drumming, and dancing are all
part of the celebration. You'll get to sample Native American food, buy Native
American wares, and watch Native crafts-
people at work, as vendors often craft
their wares. Demonstration dances and
Friendship Dances (in which the public
joins), make this an exciting cultural event
as does the Saturday night bonfire. Small
admission fees are charged either by the
day or for the entire weekend, and children, seniors, and families are discounted.
The public is invited to this event, held
April 29 and 30.
Earth Day Celebration
North Carolina Aquarium
on Roanoke Island
(252) 473-5121
Admission to the aquarium is free on Earth
Day (April 22). From 11:00 A.M. until 3:00
P.M., the Junkman plays a free concert.
Tour de Cure
Roanoke Island Festival Park, Manteo
(757) 455-6335, ext. 3281
(919) 743-5400, ext. 3254
If you're into serious cycling, consider putting your legs to work for the American
Diabetes Association. This mid-April event
has two cycling events, both of which end
up at Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo. The Saturday event starts in Virginia
Beach, Virginia. As if that weren't far
enough, the Sunday event starts in
Raleigh, North Carolina. All proceeds go
to a good cause, and there are fun celebrations at Festival Park after the rides.
Windfest
Frisco Woods Campground
NC 12, Frisco
(252) 995-5208, (800) 948-3942
Wind lovers enjoy this three-day festival,
which features free demos by windsurfing
and kiteboarding reps, instructional clinics,
a regatta, and evening cookouts. As part
of the fun, Kitty Hawk Kites hosts a Kite
Surfing Fun Ride from Frisco to Hatteras
or Avon (depending on wind direction).
Bring your own boards and sails. Bed
down at the campground for a fee (see
our Camping chapter for details) and enjoy
the rest of the event, including meals, for a
donation. All donations go to the Cape
Hatteras Meals on Wheels program.
Relay for Life
Whalehead Club, Corolla
(252) 261-1023
Held in late April, Relay for Life is a 20-hour relay walk that benefits the American
Cancer Society. Competitors form teams
and raise money prior to the event, which
is held on the beautiful grounds of the
Whalehead Club in Corolla. During the
relay, one person from each team is on
the track at all times from 3:00 P.M.on
Saturday until 10:00 A.M. on Sunday. All
during the day there are events on the
lawn, including food vendors and music.
It's fun and benefits a great cause.
Outer Banks Walk America
Roanoke Island Festival Park, Manteo
(800) 732-7097
This fund-raising walk benefits the March
of Dimes. The walk starts at Festival Park, winds through downtown Manteo, and
ends at Festival Park. Music and refreshments are offered after the walk. The 2006
event will be held April 29.
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