One reason the Outer Banks is so popular is that it appeals to a wide variety of subcultures. History buffs to wind and wave addicts, fitness freaks to lighthouse lovers, RV campers to luxury home renters, birders and wildlife watchers to hunters and anglers, painters to bikers, paddlers to Jet Skiers, foodies to fried fish eaters, gay to straight, with kids to no kids - everyone blends harmoniously on these barrier islands. And every group that finds happiness here feels that the Outer Banks is their Outer Banks. And that's why we all love it so...
This week, the events are stacked up for just about every group there is. From garden clubbers in sundresses to cole slaw wrestlers in thongs, everyone will feel at home. As always, the Outer Banks will make a place for everyone...
The bikers have their own week on the Outer Banks. So far Outer Banks Bike Week has been relatively quiet, but I imagine the decibels will be rising as we draw closer to the weekend. My family has been passing the time on errands with the game of counting motorcycles -- but my kids can't really count that high or that fast. * And has anyone else seen those signs on the Bypass - "Residential Neighborhood, Please Ride Quietly"? Are those a joke? How does a Hog ride quietly? If the owner gets off and pushes? Noise is the nature of the beast. * Anyway there's a whole lot of stuff going on for Bike Week. Click the link to see the huge list of events. * Going on simultaneously is Vertigo Tattoo's Bike Rally in Manns Harbor. Click that link to see everything that's going on across the bridge this weekend. They've got an impressive lineup, including the return of Patch McGillicuttey and the Wall of Death. I knew that would your attention...
Civil War historians are having a big week on Hatteras Island. The Flags Over Hatteras Conference is going on in honor of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War on Hatteras Island. (It got canceled in August due to Hurricane Irene and was rescheduled for this week.) The three-day conference is for those with true Civil War leanings, and for them it's a really big deal. Nationally known Civil War luminaries James McPherson and Craig Symonds are on the island to give presentations, along with authors Drew Pullen, Patricia Click, Harry Jones and other speakers. * The general public will be more interested in the other events of the weekend, especially the free Living History Programs at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. All day Saturday and Sunday you'll be able to see Civil War encampments, events and demonstrations, including a Civil War fashions show. * Additionally, there's an auction on Saturday night at the Hatteras Village Civic Center with a ton of really cool stuff up for bid. The list is on the website and it's not Civil War relics. The money raised will go to the preservation of "a very important flag." Another interesting event will be the dedication of a monument for the Hotel D'Afrique - the Hatteras Island predecessor to the Roanoke Island Freedmen's Colony. This is a little-known snippet of Outer Banks black history and you can learn about it on Thursday at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum at 4 p.m. * You can still register for the conference. See all the details on the link above...
The garden lovers and home dreamers will be on Roanoke Island for the Ace Hardware Home and Garden Tour fund-raiser for The Elizabethan Gardens. The tour showcases numerous island homes and gardens, and each home will showcase an artist and their art. The tour also features lunch in the gardens. The tour will be held on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and tickets are $25 in advance, and $30 at the door.
The ladies who lunch will be at Kelly's on Saturday from 12 to 3 p.m. for the Couture by the Shore Spring Fashion Show featuring 11 local boutiques. There'll be lunch, a raffle, giveaways, an auction and shopping to benefit the Relief Foundation. Cost is $40...
The kids and families will be having their fun on Roanoke Island. Roanoke Island Festival Park is hosting a children's show called Beans Talk Children's Show at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. It's an interactive show based on Jack and the Beanstalk. After the morning show, you can zip on over to Island Farm to see Sheep Shearing Day. It's one of my favorite events at Island Farm. Those sheep are so cute when they are shorn. That one's happening Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m....
But that's not all. The wind addicts will be at WindFest at Frisco Woods campground, kiting, windsuring and SUPing. * The runners will be on Ocracoke Island at the island's first-ever Ocracoke Island 5K on Saturday at 9 a.m. to support Ocracoke School Athletic Boosters and the island's radio station, WOVV. * The Bargain Hunters will be at the Mommy and Me Yard Sale at the Brewing Station on Saturday morning... Somebody stop me... There's too much going on. I can't tell you about it all here. Whatever little subculture you're in, you need to go look at the list of events in our By Day and Nightlife sections....
Have a great weekend, and don't forget to enter our Facebook Giveaway!
This week you have a chance to win a $25 gift certicate to Goombays Grille & Raw Bar plus a $25 towards any beach rental with Ocean Atlantic Rentals!
For more information about Goombays Grille & Raw Bar, check out their website.
For more information about Ocean Atlantic Rentals, check out their website.
Last Week's Winner
Congratulations to Gwyn Hetzel!!!
You won a $50 gift certicate to Gray's Department Store plus a $40 gift certificate to The Lifesaving Station Restaurant at the Sanderling!
For more information about Gray's Family Department Store, check out their website.
For more information about The Lifesaving Station Restaurant, check out their website.
About the Author Molly Harrison
Molly Harrison is managing editor at OneBoat, publisher of OuterBanksThisWeek.com. She moved to Nags Head in 1994 and since then has made her living writing articles and creating publications about the people, places and culture of the Outer Banks.
