Get Those Motors Running...

By Molly Harrison | Monday, April 19, 2010
Bikers are descending on the Banks this week.

Every year, just about the time we've fully committed to open windows, along comes Bike Week. * For those of us within earshot of the Bypass and Beach Road, the unfamiliar roar of thousands of motorcycles sets dogs to barking and babies to waking and nerves to edge. But just about the time we all get used to the noise and start appreciating the new scenery and economic stimulus the bikers bring, they all go home and we're happy they came. But I think I'll go camping this weekend to get away from the noise just the same...

Yup, Outer Banks Bike Week officially started this past weekend, but the action is really going to pick up this week, probably by Wednesday or Thursday. As many as 20,000 bikers are expected to descend on the Outer Banks by this weekend. * Bike Week events, such as group rides, poker runs, live music and contests are happening from Kitty Hawk to Nags Head to Hatteras Island all week. Each night a different club hosts the "official" Bike Week party. And Vertigo Tattoo and Body Piercing in Manns Harbor has got the week solid with events. See www.outerbanksbikeweek.com and www.outerbanksbikerally.net for the full list of happenings - it's long - hope all those bikers are ready to par-tay ...

Here's where I'm taking my kids this weekend: Frisco Native American Museum's 12th Annual Inter Tribal Powwow. * Natives and visitors gather on the beautiful shaded grounds behind the museum for music, dancing, story telling, demonstrations, arts and crafts, native food and more. * New this year is the kickoff of Dancing Moccasins: A Living History Weekend. This means more hands-on experience of Native American culture - more than 40 interactive activities like feather painting, totem pole carving, beading, hair braiding, animal tracking, sand painting, leather work, drum making, pouch making. * The Powwow is Saturday and Sunday starting at 10 a.m., and a nominal admission is charged. See www.nativeamericanmuseum.org...

Parents of preschoolers take note of Kids Fest at Roanoke Island Festival Park on Friday. * Three hours (9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) of play, story time, bubbles, Steve the Dream, eats and fun. It's free (thanks, Children and Youth Partnership)...

Wine lovers take note of Duck and Wine Festival at the Waterfront Shops in Duck from 12 to 3 p.m. on Saturday. * Three hours of wine tasting, live music and a cook-off between 20 regional restaurants and chefs. Get your tickets early in the week: www.coastalprovisions.net...

How cool is that we have three national parks on the Banks? They're always worth visiting, but here is some added motivation: The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is open for the season. Take the 248 steps to the top for a 12-story, stair-climbing workout with a rewarding view at the top. You can climb between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. from now until Labor Day. * Admission to the Wright Brothers National Memorial is free this week as part of National Park Week (April 17-25). Go to the museum and climb that hill to the monument and get inspired to dream bigger than you do right now. * Saturday is Junior Ranger Day at the national parks. Children ages 5 to 13 can become a Seashore Ranger at Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Ocracoke, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse or Bodie Island), a Flight Ranger at Wright Brothers National Memorial or a Roanoke Ranger at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. These programs are free and fun and teach kids about protecting the parks ...

On that note, if you have an opinion (and who doesn't?) on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement being conducted by the National Park Service in regards to the whole beach driving vs. bird and turtle preserving issue in Cape Hatteras National Seashore, you need to get your comments in. Public hearings are being held all next week: April 26 through 29 from Ocracoke to Buxton to KDH to Raleigh, NC, to Hampton, VA (see here).

Or you can make comments online here...

The nightlife scene is off the Richter this week (well, relatively speaking to a spring week on the Outer Banks). * Some highlights: Lucky Daredevil Thrill Show (snakes, sword swallowing and fire breathing) Tuesday at 8 p.m. at Outer Banks Brewing Station. * Tax Relief Tapas Crawl between Kill Devil Grill, Prime Only and Kelly's from 5-9 p.m. ($30). * See our Outer Banks By Night section and www.outerbanksbikerally.net for more listings...

And hey, by the way, thanks to all the organizers and volunteers of the 1st Annual Flying Pirate Half-Marathon for the well-organized race and really fun after-party. And thanks to Mother Nature for the cool temps and tail wind...

Now go have fun in this green, green spring... I'll be back with a new blog next Monday...

Check the site all week as businesses and organizations are adding new stuff here every day. If you've got a business or organization that wants to get the word out about something - a sale, a special, an event or a fund-raiser - click on Get Involved just on the right column of this page...

And put your 2 cents in. If you'd like to contribute or add your voice to this blog, you can do that below. Keep in mind that the blog comments are moderated so that this site is only putting positive vibes into cyberspace * We want to hear from you. Really, we do...

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.