Whoa... where did that come from? Last week and Easter weekend felt like full-on summer on the Outer Banks. I'm talking people wise. I could barely take a left for a week, Harris Teeter kept selling out of fresh pineapples (I'm an addict), I didn't recognize one soul except the staff in Tortuga's last Friday night, I've never seen the Aquarium parking lot so full as last Thursday when it rained... I could go on, but I'm sure you get my point. * Anyway, that blast of spring break and Bike Week visitors was a nice thing for the local businesses I'm sure. * And now it's nice to have our own spring break in the less busy week after Easter, and we're doing a staycation. Who needs to go anywhere when you already live in a spring break destination and the weather is warm? My kids have big plans about how they're spending their week off on the Outer Banks. Swimming in the ocean and sound. Sliding down Jockey's Ridge. Miniature golf. Bike rides to the pier for breakfast. Outdoors Day in Corolla. Powwow in Frisco...
If you've got some time off this week, here's what's going on...
On Wednesday, Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education in Corolla is throwing an Outdoors Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be fishing, decoy carving, laser shot practice, nature hikes, petting gentled Colonial Spanish mustangs and a lot more. Outdoors Day is free and open to all ages...
The Elizabethan Gardens is hosting a Botantical Art and Watercolor Workshop with Linda Miller Thursday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day. Students will collect cuttings from the gardens, and Linda will teach the drawing skills, observation skills and watercolor techniques needed to create botanical paintings. Call (252) 473-3234....
On Friday night, Frisco Jubilee will present a benefit show at Buxton United Methodist Church at 7:30 p.m. Fiddler Speedy Price, Mahlon Blue, Clifford Swain, Jaki Gray, John Couch and other local musicians are expected. Anyone who has seen this band of players highly sings their praises. Their concert, which costs $10 at the door, will benefit the Buxton UMC building fund. Call (252) 995-3540...
Definitely make plans to attend the Frisco Native American Museum's annual Journey Home Inter-Tribal Powwow and Dancing Moccasins Living History Weekend. This is one of my favorite annual events on the Outer Banks. All ages love this event. It's in a beautiful forest setting behind the museum, and there are so many things to learn and see and do and a whole new culture to appreciate. The event keeps growing every year. You'll see and experience native drumming, dancing, story telling, foods, a marketplace, traditional crafts and activities like drum making, face painting, soapstone carving, beading, hair braiding, feather painting and much more. The Powwow is held on Saturday and Sunday, starting at 10 a.m. on both days. Admission is $5 for individuals, $15 for a family or $3 for seniors. Call (252) 995-4440...
Something else the kids (and others) will like on Saturday is Sheep Shearing Day at Island Farm. I got to see the sheep get sheared last year at Island Farm, and it was very funny. They sit the sheep down on their rears, which causes them to become floppy and easy to shear. Sheep Shearing Day festivities will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They'll shear sheep, wash the fleece and then spin it into yarn and woven into cloth. Cost is $6, with ages 5 and younger getting in free. Call (252) 474-6500...
Children at Play Museum in Kitty Hawk is hosting a Children's Book Signing on Saturday at noon. Kaleena, an 11-year-old author, will sign her book, "Oh Where Oh Where is My SwailTail." Call (252) 261-0290...
Saturday afternoon from noon to 3 p.m., take in the flavors of the 2011 Duck and Wine Festival. It's a duck cook off by more than 20 restaurants/chefs using duck from Maple Leaf Farms. Each dish is paired with a glass of wine. Held out the Waterfront Shops, this is a very popular event and tickets sell out fast, so get yours early. Cost is $28 and proceeds benefit the Currituck Dare Community Foundation. Go to www.coastival.org for info...
A Car and Cycle Show, yard sale and barbecue dinner are being held on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Currituck County High School in Grandy...
Dare County Arts Council is bringing nationally recognized artist Lisa Beth Robinson for a weekend Book Arts Workshop. Held on Saturday and Sunday, the workshop is designed for all skill levels. Robinson is an instructor at ECU in Greenville and a book artist. Call (252) 473-5558...
Outer Banks Epicurean is hosting two workshops this weekend: Easy Pork Divan on Friday at 5:30 p.m. and Basic Knife Skills on Saturday at 1 p.m. Call (252) 480-0005...
Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. at Roanoke Island Festival Park, there's a program called Holocaust Remembrance Day. It's an international observance day, a time to remember the 6 million Jews and others who lost their lives in the Holocaust. Expect poems, reading of names, music and to hear a Holocaust survivor recount his experience. Call (252) 261-4648...
Sunday is the opening of the 14th Annual Mollie Fearing Memorial Art Show, a conglomerate show of local artists and Dare County Arts Council members. The show is always held at Roanoke Island Festival Park. The opening-day reception will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. in the art gallery and will feature food, cocktails and live music. The show will hang through May 31, with hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Call (252) 473-5558 or (252) 475-1500...
Want to see some live music this weekend. Kelly's has Open Mic on Wednesday, Martinis, Manicures and Martier on Thursday, and Monster Band on Friday and Saturday. * OB Brewing Station has DJ Sho on Friday and Sol & Funk Root on Saturday. * Basnight's Lone Cedar has karaoke on Friday and Saturday. * Peppercorn's at the Ramada has the Wilder Brothers on Friday.* Down in Ocracoke, if you're lucky enough to be there, see Frozen Head and the Squirrels on Friday at Gaffer's. * Ocean Boulevard has Alex Ryce on the patio early on Friday and Jonny Waters Band on Friday night inside, then Soul One on the patio on Saturday...
On Sunday, Aqua Restaurant in Duck is holding its annual SIDS and First Candle Charity benefit. There will be live music, food from local restaurants, wine and beer and a silent auction. This is a family-friendly event. Bring a blanket to sit on in the front yard. Cost is $25 and hours are 2 until 9 p.m...
What are you doing this week? Did I miss anything? Tell us what's going on in your world on the Outer Banks...
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.
