The hits keep coming! Well, the hitmakers, at least. The latest in an impressive line of top-name acts to grace an Outer Banks stage this summer will be country music artist and North Carolina native Scotty McCreery when he performs at Roanoke Island Festival Park's Outdoor Pavilion on Sunday, September 1 at 7 p.m. First gaining national attention as American Idol's youngest male winner in 2011, the Garner, NC, native broke out as county music's most successful new artist when his first studio album, Clear As Day, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 and Top Country Albums charts, earning McCreery both gold and platinum album status before he'd reached the ripe old age of 20. Since then, McCreery has been chosen New Artist of the Year at both the 2011 American Country Awards and the 2012 Academy of Country Music Awards and was the opening act for Brad Paisley's Virtual Reality Tour in 2012. McCreery's Roanoke Island Festival Park concert is part of his Weekend Roadtrip Tour in advance of his new album, See You Tonight, set for an October 15 release (but available for pre-order on September 3). Tickets for the Roanoke Island Festival Park show are $25 (plus fees) in advance and $30 (plus fees) at the door.
Wine & Swine Festival
Combine North Carolina-style barbecue, locally crafted wines and beers, and the Outer Banks' famous seafood with great bands, artists and artisans, families and foodies and you have yourself an event to squeal about! On Thursday, September 5 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. the Wine & Swine festival offers locals and visitors alike an eclectic mix of food and drink to tempt every palate, activities for folks of all ages (from cornhole to pie-eating contests) and creative works from a variety of Outer Banks artisans, all in one of the most beautiful locations to be found anywhere, soundside at Whalehead in Historic Corolla Village. Free admission frees up your wallet for all the epicurean indulgences and libations to come. Food and beverage vendors include BJ's BBQ and Carolina Café, Saltydawg Smokehouse BBQ, Outer Banks Popcorn Shoppe, Duck Donuts, Sanctuary Vineyards and Weeping Radish Restaurant and Brewery. And don't worry, your ears will not be left out of this sensory wonderland of gastronomic delights, craft beverages and local artistic talent. Local musicians John Burns, Ragin' Cajun, The Crowd and Out 'n the Cold will provide a foot-tapping, dancing-friendly soundtrack to the day. Admit it, you smell the barbecue already, don't you? Me, too. The rain date is Friday, September 6.
Kid Stuff
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's free Preschool Young Naturalist Program connects children with the natural world that too few experience today. During the hour-long session children will learn about wildlife, engage in arts and craft activities and take a supervised walk on one of the nearby nature trails. Specific program topics are posted on the Friends of Alligator River and Pea Island Facebook page. Held Friday, August 30 at the new National Wildlife Refuges Visitor Center from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. (and later from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.), the program is geared toward children 5 and younger (although all ages are welcome). The new visitor center is located at 100 Conservation Drive on the north end of Roanoke Island not far past the entrance to Fort Raleigh. The program will be held rain or shine. Children must be accompanied by an adult and no reservations are necessary. For more information, contact Cindy Heffley at (252) 475-4180. The program will be repeated with two additional sessions Friday, September 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and again from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Arts and Craft Shows
Labor Day week is shaping up as a holiday for art lovers. Beginning Thursday, August 29 the Hatteras Island Arts & Craft Guild holds a free two-day show at Cape Hatteras Secondary School in Buxton from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Start whittling down your holiday season gift list as you peruse the work of more than 50 local artists and artisans. And don't forget to try your luck in the raffle to raise scholarship money for local students.
On Friday, August 30 and Saturday, August 31 the Indian Town Gallery Arts and Crafts Show transforms Frisco into a showcase for local artists. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day you can meet local artists and browse hundreds of creative works ranging from paintings, prints, recycled art, carvings and metalworking to pottery, photography, handmade jewelry and furniture. In addition to this plethora of art, you'll also be entertained with live music and well fed with Carolina barbecue, chicken, ribs and more! While you're there, sign up for a variety of drawing and painting classes, or make your own sea glass pendant with sea glass found on Hatteras' own beaches. Part of the show's proceeds go to local charities.
By mid-week you'll want to check out the Art With Heart: Outer Banks Arts & Crafts Festival at Hilton Garden Inn in Kitty Hawk. The free two-day show running Wednesday, September 4 and Thursday, September 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day combines art, commerce and good works - a portion of the show's proceeds will go to support two Outer Banks nonprofits, the Network for Endangered Sea Turtles (N.E.S.T.) and Hosea House, a charity providing support and life skills training to young mothers with infant children. More than 25 Outer Banks artists will be represented with works in a variety of media including painting, pottery, jewelry, photography, basketry, glasswork, fiber and textile arts, collage, metalwork, handmade soaps and more. If all that art stirs your appetite, just pop into the Great American Grill, located in the lobby, for everything from salads, soups and sandwiches to burgers, steak and seafood. Onsite parking is free.
Ride the Wind and Waves
If you're on the hunt for something more physically challenging - and wind, water and waves provide your primary source of motivation - then you'll want to check out the 2013 Hatteras Kite Weekend at Kitty Hawk Kites' Kiteboarding resort in Waves. Beginning Friday, August 30 at 10 a.m. and continuing through Monday, September 2 you can participate in a number of camps that leverage the knowledge and skills of Kitty Hawk Kite's experienced riders to help you improve your riding, whatever your style! The demo center will be open all weekend featuring free demonstrations and a massive clearance sale of kites and kiteboarding gear. Improve your on-the-water performance with new techniques and upgraded gear at bargain prices. That combo is hard to beat! For more information contact Waves Village Kiteboarding Resort at (252) 987-2297.
This week you have a chance to win a $40 gift certificate to Open Water Grill and a $35 gift certificate to Kinnakeet Clay Works!
For more information about Open Water Grill, check out their website.
For more information about Kinnakeet Clay Works, check out their website.
Last Week's Winner
Congratulations to Kathy Nagy!!!
You won a $50 gift certificate to Grays and a Hand it to Yourself spa package for two from Aqua Spa!
For more information about Gray's Family Department Store, check out their website.
For more information about Aqua Spa, check out their website.
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.
