Here's a paradox: Why does a summer day, which is actually three or four hours longer in daylight hours, slip by so much faster than a winter day? Summer days fly by like flipping a deck of cards in the air while, to me at least, winter days drag on and on like an endless game of solitaire. * I can't believe we've almost flipped our whole deck of summer days. Here we are already at Labor Day weekend, our last big fling for the summer season...
Thanks to Hurricane Earl (hopefully passing offshore but possibly heading for the Outer Banks), it looks like the Atlantic is going to be rough and full of rip currents this week. Look for red flags (no swimming) and be safe. * That said, you're going to need something to do besides swim, so I'm going to give you a few suggestions in a minute. * For those of you who want your information in a snappier fashion, head straight to the OuterBanksThisWeek.com By Day and By Night listings for a no-nonsense list. From watersports to tours to outdoor educational programs, there is tons to do on the Outer Banks and you'll find it all there...
One thing you could do is start or step up the training for the Outer Banks Triathlon. It's coming up on September 18 and 19, so get those strokes, pedals and long runs going...
The Whalehead Club is hosting an art show, Arts in the Park, this week on Wednesday and Thursday. Head up there from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday to see about 80 artists plus enjoy live music, food concessions, an auction and children's activities. Admission is free but a $5 parking donation is requested. It's not too early to be buying Christmas presents. * Speaking of that looming holiday, I'm buying only locally handmade Christmas presents this year in support of the local artists...
Speaking of local support, if you eat seafood this week, eat local. Look for the Outer Banks Catch logo on local restaurant doors. And ask where your seafood comes from. It's supposed to be labeled, by the way. * I was in a major grocery store this week, won't name names, where the shrimp labeled "Wild Carolina Shrimp" had a fine print of "origin of Brazil"...
Wait, back to Corolla - on Wednesday and Thursday, stop by the Corolla Wild Horse Museum while you're at the art show. You can paint wooden horses on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and pet a horse on Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. * And stop by the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education to see what programs are on tap this week. You might send the art lover and born shopper in the fam to the art show and let the others have an outdoor educational adventure...
On Friday, head down to Hatteras Island. My suggestion is to climb the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in the morning, have lunch then zip down to Frisco to the Frisco Native American Museum. Check out the very cool museum and grounds then do the two Friday programs: Beginning Birding at 2 p.m. and Beginning Archaeology at 3 p.m. You'll love the Bornfriends, the couple who run the museum...
Labor Day weekend is always a happening time. Expect crowds. But also expect good times. There's a lot going on this weekend, starting with First Friday in downtown Manteo. The town comes to life from about 4 p.m. until late with live music, restaurant deals and shopping deals, an Inn Crawl and entertainment. * Kim Kalman is playing at a couple of places during the day and early evening, plus Full Moon and Poor Richard's will have bands playing until late...
This first Friday is also the opening of two art shows in downtown Manteo. * One is at the Dare County Arts Council building - it's called Ben2 (as in Ben squared but I can't find that key on the keyboard). Two local artists, Ben Miller and Ben Morris, will be showing their Outer Banks-inspired works. Reception is from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday. * Across Shallowbag Bay at Roanoke Island Festival Park, also from 6 to 8 p.m., is the opening of Petra Schmidt: Mixed Media Artist in the Art Gallery. Schmidt pairs real musical instruments with natural materials to make interesting sculptures. Sea Level will be playing for the opening reception...
If you've got your Hog at the beach, think about participating in The Pirate's Run Motorcycle Event sponsored by Outer Banks Harley Davidson. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday riders will gather for a scavenger hunt. You can also just show up at Outer Banks Harley Davidson in Currituck and hang out at the vendor booths, eat and drink and look at all the pirate costumes. It's $15 for the ride and it benefits Camp Celebrate for burned children...
Saturday, stop by the Manteo Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to noon. You can pick up some great stuff there. * I'm addicted to Brynn and Amie's sweet, hot and spicy Evil Nuts. Other treats to look forward to are Chris Carroll's Lavender-Lemon Cookies, Elizabeth Robbins' Louisiana Kitchen guacamole and Susannah Burke's Oatmeal Pies and Cinnamon Buns (if you get there early)...
Hatteras Island has its Hatteras Farmers Market on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hatteras Realty in Avon...
Labor Day weekend nightlife is usually epic and there is a lot going on this weekend to be sure. Want some highlights? Here you go:
Northern beaches: Walker Brothers on Friday at Mike Dianna's; MoRons on Friday and Buster Curtis on Saturday on the Aqua S deck...
Central beaches: Dreadnecks on Friday at Bad Bean; Chris Coccia and Beatty Barnes at the Comedy Club at the Ramada on Friday, Saturday and Sunday; Formula on Saturday and 6 Day Bender on Sunday Goombays; Beleza Brazil on Friday, Johnstone on Saturday, DJ on Sunday at the Brewing Station; Teen Night on Friday, Kelly Bell Band on Saturday, DJ on Sunday at the Pit; Buster Brown and the Get Down on Friday, Hey Hey Hooligan on Saturday, DJ on Sunday at the Port 'O Call; Monster Band on Friday and Saturday and Shields Brothers on Sunday at Kelly's; Formula on Friday, Frozen Head and the Squirrels on Saturday, Barryoke on Sunday at Beach Road Grill; Matt Maguire on Friday and the Wilder Brothers on Saturday at Prime Only...
Roanoke Island: Sea Level on Friday at Full Moon; and Ty Fleming Band on Friday, Bill and Tommy on Saturday and Wilder Brothers on Sunday at Poor Richard's...
That should keep you all busy...
One more thing, and I'm not saying this to be political or take a side, but did you know that the most sea turtles ever are nesting this year at Cape Hatteras National Seashore? There are 147 turtle nests in the Seashore this year - more than ever. I think that's pretty cool, and notice I didn't say anything about why because I don't know why. I just said. Don't go bashin' me in the comments section...
I'm going to go watch the orange moon rise ... Peace.
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.
