It almost goes without saying that artists are, by nature, generous people. And Outer Banks artists are called upon regularly to benefit their community. The OBX Arts & Craft Festival, held Wednesday and Thursday, September 4-5 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kitty Hawk, is just the latest manifestation of our artist community's habit of coming forward to help local nonprofits - this time N.E.S.T (Network for Endangered Sea Turtles) and the Outer Banks Relief Foundation. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day you can meander through displays of the creations of more than 25 Outer Banks artists working in paint, pottery, jewelry, photography, fiber and textile arts, metalwork and more! Participating artists include Charlotte and Jerry Alexander, Rosanne Arndt, Bobbie Beckley, Pembroke Bryant, Brenda Buciorelli, Jackie Church, Carolina Coto, Susan Estrella, Kathy Godwin, Rosanna Gusler, Don Gwim, Randy Hodges, Anne Jacobson, Martha Johnson, Stephanie Kiker, Nancy Laird, Carolyn Leopard, Pete Lewando, Gordon Lewis, Nell Long, James Melvin, Margaret Miller, Megan Rubino and Patty Zukerowski.
N.E.S.T. is dedicated to the preservation and protection of the habitats and migration routes of sea turtles and other marine animals native to the Outer Banks. The Outer Banks Relief Foundation raises funds and coordinates support efforts to assist Outer Bankers burdened with financial difficulties due to illness or personal tragedy.
Admission is free, and you'll find plenty of free parking. A portion of the proceeds from the artists' entrance fees help to support N.E.S.T and the Outer Banks Relief Foundation. Please consider making a donation or volunteer commitment to one or both of these essential nonprofits in lieu of an admission fee. For more information visit the event's Facebook page.
Wine & Swine
Wine & Swine...how do you say no to an event with a name like that? On Thursday, September 4 foodies visiting Whalehead in Historic Corolla will find something to tempt every palate. From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. you'll be able to purchase everything from the very best of Outer Banks BBQ to local seafood and a bevy of eclectic culinary delights. Satisfy your thirst with area wines and craft beers sold by the glass. Food and drink vendors will include Currituck BBQ, Poppy's Beach Treats, Sanctuary Vineyards, Sooey's BBQ & Rib Shack, The Village Food Truck, The Weeping Radish and others! Musical entertainment will be provided by local bands The Crowd, Out 'n the Cold, The Break and Pairadocs. There will be a variety of family-friendly activities, and area artisans will have their creative works on display. General admission is $15/person with children age 5 and younger admitted free. Admission fees help the nonprofit Whalehead promote and preserve the history and culture of Corolla and Currituck County. NOTE: Currituck County residents with proof of permanent residency will also be admitted free.
And...more wine. Don't forget, Whalehead's Wednesday Wine Festival continues through October.
Under the Sea...and Along the Shore
The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras presents the Underwater Heritage Symposium this Friday, September 5 through Saturday, September 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The two-day event is free and open to the public and features presentations from leaders in the field on topics such as emerging technologies for marine science and ocean exploration, the Queen Anne's Revenge Project, the Battle of the Atlantic Project, managing beach wrecks with digital media, the impact of budget cuts, laws protecting underwater heritage, nautical archaeology training initiatives, the preservation of shipwrecks and shipwreck diving experiences. For more information visit the museum website or email {encode="maryellen.riddle@ncdcr.gov" title="maryellen.riddle@ncdcr.gov"}.
Creating a realistic duck decoy today might be a matter of appreciating the old-timey artistry and craft of the decoy maker. But, back in the day, the ability of a hunter's decoys to fool easily spooked waterfowl could make the different between a family having dinner or not. On Thursday, September 4 from 12:30 to 4 p.m. craftsman and waterman Sam Green will give a free demonstration of how he constructs and paints canvas-backed decoys.
Also, on Tuesday, September 9 at 2 p.m. the second installment of Dave Kelmer's free presentation Salty Dawgs: History and the Hatteras Island Ecology will be held at the museum. The presentation provides background on historic Hatteras ecology and Europeans' impact on this pristine environment.
For more information on any of these events or activities call (252) 986-2995 or visit the museum's website.
Other Happenings
It can sometimes be difficult for local working families to take part in the educational activities offered by so many of the area's attractions and museums. The Children at Play Museum in Kitty Hawk has made an effort to change that situation. Play on Sundays is a program sponsored by the PNC Foundation to allow residents of Dare County to visit the Children at Play Museum for free on Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., from September 2014 through May 2015!
Over the years there have been songs by several artists (including Madonna) released under the title "Express Yourself." My personal favorite is the 1970 release by Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band (take a listen). Here on the Outer Banks we might paraphrase the song as "Exert Yourself." Everywhere you look people are running, walking, jumping, swimming, biking, bootcamping and, well, exerting themselves. But it is often for a good cause. Case in point - the 5th annual All Out Pink Road Race 10 Mile Bridge Run and 5k raising funds to find a cure for breast cancer. The race will take place Saturday, September 6 at 8 a.m. from its starting line in The Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo on Roanoke Island. All ages are welcome for this out-and-back 10-mile course from Roanoke Island across the Old Manns Harbor Bridge to the Dare County mainland and back again (the 5K does not cross the bridge). See the event websites for entrance fees and registration information.
Looking Ahead
Puff, puff, puff...The fit will be at it again next weekend as the Outer Banks Triathlon strings together a series of swims, runs and bike rides over the course of the two days. The half distance and Olympic distance events scheduled for Saturday, September 13 are sold out but entry slots were still available at press time for the Sprint Distance race on Sunday, September 14. Visit the event website for entrance registration information and other details.
The Eastern Surfing Association, the world's largest amateur surfing organization, brings the Eastern Surfing Championships to Jennette's Pier in Nags Head from Sunday, September 14 through Saturday, September 20. Competition will begin at 8 a.m. each day. Stop by and see the best surfers go head-to-head in this grand finale of the amateur season.
OBX Pridefest returns to the Outer Banks for its fourth year Friday, September 12 through Sunday, September 14. Held on the grounds of the historic First Colony Inn in Nags Head, all of the LGBT-friendly festival's outdoor events are free and open to the public. Activities include a sunset cruise followed by a bonfire beach party with DJ; Saturday night club shows and a dance party at Pamlico Jack's Restaurant; a Saturday afternoon music festival with bands, souvenir vendors, barbecue and pool parties; America's only drag surfing contest and Tea by the Sea beach party; and a Sunday morning drag brunch. Tickets and up-to-date details are available at the event website and on their Facebook page. If you're interested in accommodations within walking distance of the event, organizers recommend you make your reservations as early as possible. Accommodations listings can be found on the event website.
This week you still have a chance to win a couples surf lesson from Island Revolution and a restaurant tour from Outer Banks Restaurant Tours!
For more information about Island Revolution check out their website.
For more information about Outer Banks Restaurant Tours check out their website.
Last Week's Winner
Congratulations to Daniel Dzemyan!!!
You won a pottery class for two from Kinnakeet Clay & a $35 gift certificate to the Atlantic Coast Cafe!
For more information about Kinnakeet Clay check out their website.
For more information about Atlantic Coast Cafe 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.
