Hatteras Events Highlight the Week

By Michael Lay | Thursday, September 19, 2013
Lee Robinson General Store hosts Tastes of NC event.

For me, not many things surpass the simple pleasure of cruising south down Highway 12 through the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, my spirit soothed by the salt air billowing through the open car windows from the Atlantic Ocean surging ashore only a few yards away. There's just something about the expansiveness of the Hatteras sky and seascape that make me feel freer than I feel anywhere else. That feeling of freedom is usually all the motivation required for me to hop in the car and point it south toward the Bonner Bridge and Oregon Inlet.

But, if I did need any motivation for a Hatteras excursion, the Taste of North Carolina, Hatteras Style! event held this Friday, September 20 would likely provide the necessary impetus. Hosted by Lee Robinson General Store from 4 p.m. to sunset, the event features samplings of amazing food, beverages and more, all originating in the Old North State! While you're there, meet North Carolina authors and tap your feet to the coastal bluegrass music of local band Banjo Island. Proceeds go to support NC Watermen United, an organization advocating for those who fish for a living.

Hatteras Family Fun

The Day at the Docks celebration in Hatteras Village, held Saturday, September 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., is a free, family-friendly and fun-filled community day packed with activities for all ages. Events include a fishing contest, mullet toss, survival suit race, cooking demonstrations, musical entertainment and more! Many of the organizations that support our coast through advocacy and public education will be featured in the Education Tent. You'll want to consult the event website for a complete list of activities. At 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. join local habitat experts for a tour of the living shoreline at Durant's Point to learn about wetland restoration efforts, examine native grasses and the animals that rely on this ecosystem.

Fiber Arts

Fiber art lovers will want to sign up for the Needle Felted Beach Scene Art class offered by Blue Pelican Gallery in Hatteras on Sunday, September 22 from 2 to 6 p.m. Students will create their own interpretation of sky, surf and sand suitable for framing. No previous needle felting knowledge is necessary, and the class is open to participants ranging in age from mid-teen to adult. The class costs $60 plus a $24 fee for a needle kit containing all the supplies needed to complete this project and several more. Pre-registration is required - call (252) 986-2244 or e-mail {encode="info@bluepelicangallery.com" title="info@bluepelicangallery.com"}.

Run, Swim, Bike

While many people are attracted to the Outer Banks' because of its reputation as a relaxation destination, others seem drawn here by the area's steadily increasing opportunities for physical exertion. This weekend the Outer Banks Triathlon, a USAT Sanctioned event hosted by Outer Banks Sporting Events, takes place on Roanoke Island at the race site adjacent to the Dare County Regional Airport and the North Carolina Aquarium. There are three competition options, Olympic Distance and Half Distance races on Saturday and a Sprint Distance on Sunday. Events begin both days at 8 a.m. Pre-registration is required for competitors. At press time, registration was closed for Saturday's events; openings were still available for Sunday's sprint race.

The swim segment of the competition begins at the Old Swimming Hole located next to the Dare County Airport on Roanoke Island. The bike portion of the event is an out and back course on a smooth road from Roanoke Island, across the Manns Harbor Bridge and into Mashoes on the Dare County mainland. The run is a predominantly shady out and back course that begins at the airport and incorporates much of the north end of Roanoke Island, including a tour of the Mother Vineyard neighborhood. The proceeds from the event will be shared by the Dare Education Foundation and the Outer Banks Relief Foundation, an organization providing financial assistance for families in crises.

Jockey's Ridge State Park

The folks at Jockey's Ridge State Park in Nags Head have several upcoming programs of interest to all ages. The first of these, Owls of the Park on Thursday, September 19 at 2 p.m., is an opportunity to learn about the three species of owls that live in and around the park and to identify each owl by its unique characteristics and call. The program lasts approximately 30 minutes, and participants should meet in the park auditorium. Dune Critters, held Saturday, September 21 at 2 p.m., is a presentation on the variety of animals that call the park home and their adaptations and behaviors for surviving and often thriving in what can sometime be a harsh maritime environment. The 30-minute long program takes place in the visitor center. The Animal Track Search program begins in the auditorium Tuesday, September 24 at 10 a.m. with a discussion of the park's wildlife, followed by a short hike of the adjacent wilderness area to track the animals living there. This is a great learning activity for kids. Closed-toe shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended.

Looking Ahead

I'll close with reminders regarding ongoing and upcoming events. First, mark your calendars for 2013's Artrageous Art Extravaganza scheduled for Saturday, September 28 at the Dare County Family Recreation Park in Kill Devil Hills from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This annual community celebration of the arts features live art demos, creative hands-on booths, activities for kids, youth art, live music, food and more. This year, the theme for Artrageous is The Art of Compassion. Proceeds from this community-wide event benefit art education and cultural programming in all Dare County schools, the Dare County Arts Council endowment fund and the Artrageous Youth Scholarship fund, which awards one scholarship to a graduating senior at each Dare County high school. For more information about Artrageous or Dare County Arts Council, please call (252) 473-5558 or visit the DCAC website.

The Dare Literacy Council is still taking donations of books in advance of its annual fundraising DLC Book Sale, scheduled for Saturday, October 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Dare County Family Recreation Park in Kill Devil Hills. This is a perfect opportunity to open up some space on your bookshelves (if for no other reason than to make room for new books) while you help spread the gift of literacy throughout our community. Donated books can be placed in containers available in locations throughout the Outer Banks (see the Dare Literacy Council website for a full list of locations). Both paperback and hardcover books are accepted. Biographies, cookbooks and children's books are among the most popular types of works sold at the annual book sale. For more information or to arrange pick-up of a large donation, call (252) 216-7773.

Outer Banks This Week Giveaway



This week you have a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to Gray's Outer Banks & a $35 gift certificate to Trio -- Wine, Beer & Cheese!

For more information about Grays, check out their website.

For more information about OBX TRIO, check out their website.


Last Week's Winner

Congratulations to Kathy Rich!!!

You won an Absolutely Wild Horse Tours for two and a $35 gift certificate to Corolla Cantina!

Outer Banks This Week Giveaway Winner











For more information about Absolutely Wild Horse Tours, check out their website.

For more information about Corolla Cantina Bar & Grill, check them out on Corolla Guide.

About the Author Michael Lay
Michael Lay is a local graphic designer, artist, photographer and writer. He lives in picturesque downtown Manteo, NC, and is the manservant of two beautiful and willful feline princesses, Sophie and Sassy. You can contact Michael at mike.lay@oneboat.com.