July 4th Events

Compiled by Kip Tabb –

Fireworks over the Whalehead Club

Lots and lots to do this 4^th of July on the Outer Banks. Fireworks, of course. A parade. And even a couple of short races, although registration for the races is closed.

Here’s the list of 4^th of July happenings with descriptions from the event sponsors.

8^th Annual Duck Parade

Town of Duck webste. http://www.townofduck.com/townofduckevents/)

9:00 a.m. with a community social following at the Duck Town Park featuring music by Ruth Wyand, refreshments, and the awarding of parade trophies. The one-mile parade route is the same annually and begins at the crest of the hill on Scarborough Lane going eastward, continues down Ocean Way, and then turns onto Christopher Drive. No part of the parade is on Duck Road (SR 12). Please plan to come early to get the best parade viewing spot.

Editor’s note: A weird and wonderful parade that brings out all that’s best about the Outer Banks. Parking is difficult, get there early. Ruth Wyand is an amazing musician. Make the effort to see her.

Fireworks

Whalehead Club

 Whalehead Club website: http://www.whaleheadclub.org/

20th Annual Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks

Join us at Currituck Heritage Park in Corolla on Wednesday July 4th from 6pm – 10pm. Enjoy food, fun activities, fabulous music! Bring your blanket or lawn chairs and spread out for the best fireworks show on the Outer Banks! Fireworks begin at dusk. The boat basin and boat launch will be closed on July 4th. Sponsored by the Currituck County Department of Travel and Tourism. Admission and Parking are free.

Editor’s note: Consistently the best fireworks on the Outer Banks. A bit out of the way for folks in Southern Shores and south. Exiting traffic is very heavy.

Manteo

Fourth of July Celebration

Manteo website: http://townofmanteo.com

Independence Day in Manteo is a full day of fun, with children’s games and activities, contests, and a flea market.

Nighttime activities include the North Carolina School of the Arts Pops Concert at Roanoke Island Festival Park, and culminate in fireworks over the Roanoke Sound.

Editor’s note: An all day street fair, celebration and fireworks all rolled into one. Crowds are a bit packed in for the fireworks, but a great time with a very small town America feel.

Nags Head

4th of July Fireworks Spectacular

Nags Head website: http://www.nagsheadnc.gov

Thanks to a grant from the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, the Town of Nags Head will host, in conjunction with the Nags Head Fishing Pier, the 15th annual Independence Day Fireworks Spectacular on Monday, July 4, 2011 at 9:25 p.m. on the ocean pier located at Mile Post 11.5 on NC Route 12, S. Virginia Dare Trail in Nags Head. A rain date has been set for Friday, July 8, 2011. The fireworks display will last approximately 25 minutes. Zambelli Fireworks will present the program, promising unforgettable fireworks.

Editor’s note: Best view by far is to spread a towel out on the beach and watch the show. A uniquely Outer Banks version of the 4^th of July.

Additional note on viewing fireworks: Jockeys Ridge State Park remains open past sunset on the 4^th to allow people to watch the fireworks from the top of Jockeys Ridge. An amazing perspective, both Manteo and Nags Head displays can be seen from that vantage point. It is a bit farther away from the show, however.

Races:

(Registration is closed for both races.)

The Inaugural Outer Banks Firecracker & Freedom 5k begins at the Kill Devil Hills Town Hall at 7:00 a.m. There is also an Old Glory Mile and Little Sparkler Stroll starting later in the morning.

For the truly masochistic, the Killer Dunes 2 Miler is run entirely on the sands of Jockeys Ridge State Park and may be the hardest two miles you will ever experience. The Liberty Sands Fun Run is a quarter mile event.