Family vacation memories – finally catching the big one, the sky on fire that time you stayed on the sound, the kids having the time of their lives playing in the waves – no matter how well you can recall these times in your mind, a moment perfectly captured on camera can take you back and help you share some of the most cherished moments of your life.
Are you ready to kick your photography up a notch? Daniel Pullen, Hatteras Island’s very own professional and award-winning documentary photographer is offering a number of classes, workshops and walkabouts this spring and summer. In their fourth year, these classes are professional, fun, non-intimidating and suitable for beginner and intermediate photographers.
Learn how to use camera technique and composition to create timeless photographs that resonate with viewers. In these small group workshops and walkabouts students receive 1:1 instruction and critique, as well as group field work and group discussion. Classes combine in class instruction with field work on Hatteras and Ocracoke Island and range from 2 hour weekly classes, 3 hour photo walkabouts, to 1-3 day weekend workshops.
Welcome the Holidays on Hatteras Island by enjoying a winter climb of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse on the way to or from your premier vacation home. The Lighthouse will be open to the public for a free Winter Climb on Saturday December 9, 2017 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Volunteers from the Outer Banks Lighthouse Society and Cape Hatteras National Seashore park rangers will greet local residents and visitors at the lighthouse.
“This opportunity to climb Cape Hatteras Lighthouse free of charge is one of many ways to welcome in the holidays along the Outer Banks,” said Dave Hallac, Superintendent of the National Parks of Eastern North Carolina.
Remember while planning your visit:
Children who wish to climb the lighthouse must be at least 42” tall, and children under 12 years of age must be escorted by a person at least 16 years old. Climbing the lighthouse is strenuous and is equivalent to climbing a 12-story building. For more information on what to expect, check the park website www.nps.gov/caha.
Mid-September is a beautiful time to visit Hatteras Island and the annual day at the docks on September 16th gives you one more reason. Whether you stay the week before and enjoy the event on your way out of town or visit the event to kick-off your vacation, it’s sure to be a fun experience.
A celebration of community heritage, Day at the Docks kicks off on Friday night at 4:00pm with the sixth annual Taste of North Carolina, Hatteras Style. The event takes place at Lee Robinson General Store and Sticky Bottom produce in Hatteras Village. Enjoy foods, beverages and music from the Old North State.
Talk of the Villages will take place the same day starting at 6:30pm at the Hatteras Village Community building between the post office and fire station on Highway 12 in Hatteras Village. Acclaimed Hatteras Island photographer Daniel Pullen and the fisherman he photographs will share stories about the photographs on exhibit.
Saturday’s action packed schedule starts off with the Fishy 5K starting at 8am – a fun run that starts and ends at Hatteras United Methodist Church looping through historic Hatteras Village. Runners (and walkers) of all skill levels are welcome. Children’s activities will be taking place throughout the day. There will be Coast Guard boat tours, crab races, and a kids fishing contest as well as activities like making fish print T-Shirts and marsh tours.
All day long you’ll also find entertainment from storytellers, musicians and singers on the main stage. You won’t want to miss the culinary events like the Shrimp and Grits Showdown under the big tent at 2 pm where 5 celebrity judges will choose between the makings of Chef Armstrong of Vinnie’s Steakhouse in Raleigh, North Carolina and Chef Jay Pierce, Author and Shrimp Chef of the Traveled Farmer in Greensboro, North Carolina. There will also be a Chowder Cook Off and Seafood Tent.
Join the local and regional community in celebrating seafood and Hatteras Village at the Day at the Docks.
Long lazy hours on the beach, pool parties, cookouts – all the things you love to do to celebrate the 4th of July can be perfectly accomplished on your Hatteras Island vacation. Let the day take you to one of these great Independence Day celebrations!
Avon Fireworks Display
Surf or Sound Realty is proud to sponsor the 4th of July Fireworks at the Avon Fishing Pier. A fun event for the whole family, fireworks begin around 9 pm. Fireworks are visible all along the Avon beach and parking is limited, so walk, bike or carpool! Cape Hatteras National Seashore officials have decided that this year, off-road vehicles may remain on the beaches near Avon past the 9 pm closing time to allow passengers to watch the fireworks.
4th of July Bash at Koru Village
An Independence Day celebration at Koru Village’s Beach Klub! Live music by Dale and the Zdubs will happen on the Papawack Theater’s stage, their tiki bars will be open for drinks and snacks, the firework show will happen right in front, at the Avon Pier, and afterwards Koru Village’s fire dancing troupe will take center stage to delight you with a fire show. Cost is $10.68 and the event is family friendly.
Hatteras Village Golf Cart Parade
Join us for our annual July 4th Golf Cart Parade in Hatteras Village! Residents and visitors alike are invited to participate. Line up begins at 3:30 at Hatteras Harbor Court. No entry fee, just show up decorated in your best red, white and blue! Gift certificates to village businesses are awarded as prizes!
Town of Manteo 4th of July Celebration
July 4, 3:00 PM
Take a day trip to Manteo to celebrate Independence Day with small town flair. Watch the 440th Army Band perform, participate in wacky hat contest, decorated bike contest, apple pie contest and so much more. Then after the sun goes down take in one of the best firework shows on the Outer Banks.
Ocracoke Island Independance Day Celebrations
Planning a day trip to Ocracoke? They will have fireworks on Sunday July 3 and will have events going on both July 3 and 4th
Sunday, July 3, 2016:
Classic Car Show, Traditional Island Square Dance: Music by Molasses Creek, with Philip Howard as caller. Party at the NPS docks with Deejay Tommy Hutcherson. Enjoy some rockin’ tunes while you what for the fireworks to begin!
9:15pm: Fireworks! Amazing Pyrotechnic Show! Gather around Silver Lake harbor to see the show. Please walk or bike; parking is limited.
Monday, July 4, 2016:
Flag Raising Ceremony and Singing of the National Anthem: Led by Ocracoke Boy Scout Troop # 290 at the School Circle on School Road. 39th Annual Sand Sculpture Contest: At the NPS Lifeguard Beach. Ocracoke Lighthouse: The lighthouse will be open for viewing — all are welcome to see inside! Skydivers at Ocracoke Community Park, Old Time Ocracoke Parade, and then from 7pm — 10pm: Community Beach Fire at Lifeguard Beach. Join friends and neighbors at the Lifeguard Beach for a family-friendly beach fire and party!
Who doesn’t love a parade? The dazzling sights and exciting sounds… the 23rd Annual Outer Banks Parade of Homes lives up to its name as a true spectacle of luxury and innovation.
Set along 60 miles of coastline, the 2015 Outer Banks Parade of Homes features 16 new homes and six large-scale renovation projects between Corolla and South Nags Head. From October 8-11, attendees can enjoy autumn on the Outer Banks touring everything from starter homes to deluxe oceanfront estates built by one of the Outer Banks’ premier companies, SAGA Construction, with all the amenities of a five-star resort. Viewers will get to know the work of Outer Banks homebuilders with many years of coastal building experience who understand the value of choosing products that hold up best to the environment here. Their incorporation of smart product options and green features, combined with a commitment to the structural integrity of a home is evident in the finished product that is not only efficient, practical and durable, but beautiful as well.
SAGA Construction and development is a premier Outer Banks homebuilder featured in this year’s parade of homes and has built several homes on Hatteras Island. Having quickly established itself as a quality builder and designer of exclusive rental properties, SAGA Construction’s homes provide families with the ultimate dream vacation experience. Each home is impeccably furnished and well equipped for comfort and enjoyment and the floor plans and personal home amenities exceed guests’ wildest expectations. Rising Sun, Time Out, Moonshine, Shooting Star, Hatteras Retreat, and the brand new Sweet Dreams and Ocean Dream are all homes managed by Surf or Sound Realty that were built by SAGA Construction. With amenities ranging from upscale theater rooms, private pools with wet decks, inset kiddie pools and swim up bars, outdoor lounges with tiki bars, hot tubs, fireplaces and jacuzzi tubs — these homes are truly impressive.
If you are interested in attending this year’s parade, visit the event website to view the homes and their locations. Tickets can be purchased at every home or at the OBHBA office. One $10 ticket is the admission price for one person for all 22 homes, and they are good for all four days so you may tour at your own pace, starting in any area you choose.
Whether you prefer to relax on the beach all day or your family wants to schedule enriching activities, you’ll always find a variety of fun things to do on Hatteras Island. With everything from science and history lectures at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum to yoga lessons on the beach at Koru Village, there really is something for everyone.
Celebrations of summer are still going strong on the Island, and August is action-packed. Check out our event calendar or download our mobile app to see what’s going on during your stay.
Here are just a few of the fun happenings this month.
Enjoy technicolor skies as the sun sinks into the Pamlico Sound providing the perfect backdrop for a week full of national music acts, culminating in an epic headliner performance at Slickstock 2015 at REAL Watersports in Waves.
Chali 2na of JURASSIC5 and Rahzel of THE ROOTS will be performing together with the Dub Plates from 8 until Midnight on Friday, August 14.
Tickets for Friday’s event are $20 per person with kids 10 and under getting in FREE. All other performances are free of charge.
August 10 – How I Became A Pirate Children’s Musical
Beach Klub PapaWack Theater at Koru Village in Avon
Based upon the book “How I Became a Pirate” Written by Melinda Long and Illustrations by David Shannon, imagination & fantasy run wild in this hour of family fun! Pirate ships take sail and parrots become pets as children pretend to be swash-bucklers of long ago. Well hoist the flag mateys and raise the anchor!
Enjoy the professional theatrics of the Lost Colony’s Children’s Theatre production at Koru Village in Avon. Tickets are $10.
August 11 – Mindful Nature Photography – An Inspiring Lecture by Eve Turek
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum | 59200 Museum Drive | Hatteras, NC 27943
Award-winning photographer, Eve Turek, is a landscape and nature photographer. She captures the essence of the Outer Banks through a remarkable connection she establishes with her subjects. This is an awe-inspiring presentation by a gifted image maker and storyteller.
There’s Still Time to Take a Vacation this Summer
Haven’t made it to Hatteras Island this summer? Don’t worry! We still have some fabulous homes available at great last-minute rates – view our specials.
Ocracoke Ceremony – Image Courtesy Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum
On May 7, at 11 a.m. the British War Graves ceremony will take place at the British Cemetery in Buxton. A ceremony at the British Cemetery in Ocracoke will be held on May 8 at 11 a.m.
For 73 years, near the anniversary of the Bedfordshire’s sinking, members of the National Park Service, U.S. Coast Guard, and British Royal Navy join visitors and local citizens to honor the service of the men buried in the cemeteries. The two ceremonies honor the 65 foreign sailors who lost their lives just off the coast of the Outer Banks. Free and open to the public, the ceremonies are organized by the Friends of the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, the Ocracoke community, the U.S. Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary 16-04, the National Park Service and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
For more information, call the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum at (252) 986-2995 or visit www.ncmaritimemuseums.com.
This Saturday was a beautiful cool sunny day – perfect weather for the annual Hatteras Village Christmas Parade! This mile-long traditional parade brings out neighbors, businesses and visitors full of holiday cheer and a real sense of community.
Among the school marching band, the police departments, churches, horse stables and fire engines were the Surf or Sound Realty Elves! Bounding along the parade route next to a Surf or Sound maintenance truck all done up as the “seashells and jingle bells” float – the elves happily greeted parade-goers and handed out candy canes.
Afterwards everyone gathered at the community center for hot chocolate and cookies, another Hatteras Holiday tradition.
Because of the heavy wind and rain expected Thursday night and Friday morning, the 4th of July Fireworks show in Avon has been rescheduled for Monday, July 7 – stay tuned to the facebook event page for more details. The 4th of July activities in Hatteras Village have been canceled.
Surf or Sound Realty has proudly sponsored this year’s fireworks display on Hatteras Island at the Avon Pier just across from our Avon office. Join us for a spectacular professional fireworks show over the ocean.
On Monday, July 7 the Beach Klub will have a huge Independence Day celebration in conjunction with the rescheduled fireworks show. From 7-10pm on July 7, the Beach Klub will entertain guests with live music by The FreeBooters, drinks, a drumming circle, corn hole, hula hooping, and a fire performance. The Beach Klub has front row seats for the Avon Pier’s fireworks show. The event is $5 per person. Children 5 and under are free. There are no advance ticket sales. Fireworks start around 9:15 – see you there!
With the temperatures in the 60s the past few days and longer daylight hours, we are already starting to feel spring’s presence on Hatteras Island. Share our spring-dreaming as we review 6 ways to tell for sure that spring is here!
Flowers – spring’s arrival can be marked by some of our subtle blooms, like the Salt Pennywort with its’ tiny greenish white clusters of flowers that begin to bloom across the sand dunes in April.
Spring Air -that special combination of fresh rain, salty air and burgers cooking on the grill, really has the ability to take over your senses.
Flip Flops – what better indication of spring than flip flops and bare feet as warmer weather arrives?
Beach Walkers – the dog walkers, joggers and casual strollers are back out on the beach getting their toes in the sand and taking in the salt air sea vistas in the mornings and evenings.
Deck Lounging – there’s no time of year sitting outside is more pleasant, with gentle breezes and more daylight hours, it’s just the right weather for islanders and visitors to spend the afternoon relaxing on their deck, talking with friends and neighbors.
Festivals – Our seven villages come alive with everything from a Storytelling Festival and Fishing Tournaments to Kiteboarding and Running Events. Spring is the perfect time for everyone to get together and get outdoors.
Have you visited in the spring? It’s a beautiful time of year here on the Island and a great time to take advantage of shoulder season rates. Be sure to check our website for any current specials too.
