Locals are sometimes a little less tolerant of visitors than we should be. * I get sorely irritated about being woken up by screeching and popping fireworks (illegal fireworks, mind you) at midnight, and sometimes I fly into a little fit of road rage when someone with Ohio plates slams on the brakes in front of me five or six times while they look for their turnoff (sans blinker)...
But there I was this past week on vacation myself: On another, less familiar North Carolina beach. Caught up in the fun of a home-grown fireworks display. Late. And I was guilty of tap-tap-tapping those brakes in the slow lane while looking for the yoga studio and the grocery store (where I could not find a thing) and the seafood market. * The experience upped my tolerance factor of the tourist experience enough to get me through at least the month of August...
Vacation rental companies are reporting 100% occupancy in early August, and that's great news. * Welcome visitors! We forgive your minor indiscretions and hope you have fun. * And there's a lot of fun to be had this week...
All the buzz is about The Lost Colony production of the Wizard of Oz. * Upon my return from vacation, ye olde Facebook News Feed was thick with comments on how spectacular the production was last weekend. (The only warning I got from parents is that it runs late, so make the kids nap if you can.) * Lucky for those of us who missed it last week, it's running again this weekend, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. * It's held at Waterside Theatre and we should do ourselves a favor and get our tickets early at The Lost Colony box office (473-3414)...
If you dig the theater, don't miss Elizabeth R and Company's production of Bloody Mary and the Virgin Queen this week at Roanoke Island Festival Park. * The play runs at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and it's free with paid admission to the park. * I've seen this play, and I really like it. The premise is that Queen Elizabeth and her half-sister Mary, who hated one another, are buried in the same tomb in Westminster Abbey. At night, when everyone has gone home, the two come out to trade barbs. The wit is wry and intellectual, so younger children will fidget, but bring your teenagers and adults...
Roanoke Island Festival Park is also hosting the Bob Brown Puppets this week as part of its Children's Performance Series. * This children's theatre company has been performing for more than 50 years, and they're not doing the same show every day. * Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. they're doing "Clowning Around," Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m they're doing "Penguin Playground," and on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. they're doing "Teddy Bear Playground." All shows are indoors. Be sure to visit the rest of Festival Park, and BTW the grounds have great picnic facilities...
On Wednesday and Thursday, the Hatteras Island Arts and Crafts Guild is hosting it's Summer Arts and Crafts Show at Cape Hatteras Secondary School in Buxton. * Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and admission is free. * This is worth the trip from anywhere because Hatteras is home to some quality artists! * Also, there's a big crafts show at the Baum Center all day on Wednesday and Thursday, sponsored by the Outer Banks Woman's Club. The Baum Center is behind the Kill Devil Hills Post Office...
Here's something different: Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station Historic Site's American Heroes Day on Thursday, honoring the people who keep us safe. * Expect to see a Coast Guard Search and Rescue Demo, a Jayhawk helicopter, a water rescue demo, the famous historic Beach Apparatus Drill and a military flyover, plus static displays of Coast Guard boats and equipment, firetrucks and ocean rescue equipment, an ambulance, highway patrol vehicles (sounds like a 4-year-old boy's dream...or 14 or 40 year old boys' dream). * It starts at 10 a.m., admission is $5 for all day, and food will be sold on site. See a schedule at www.chicamacomico.net...
Another unique adventure, on the other end of the Banks, is the opportunity to pet a gentled Spanish mustang at the Corolla Wild Horse Museum in Corolla on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. (weather permitting). It's your chance to meet and pet the North Carolina State Horse. Call (252) 453-8002...
If you like the band Carbon Leaf, and a lot of people do, don't miss them at Kelly's on Wednesday night - starting about 10 p.m....
This is the last week for Duck's Summer Music Series. Listen to The Little Kings on Tuesday and the Rajun Cajuns on Thursday - in the park at 6 p.m....
Friday is First Friday in downtown Manteo. * Catch live music all around town, get some great deals in the restaurants and shops, and definitely stop by the old Dare County Courthouse to see the NEW Dare County Arts Council location and attend the opening reception for The Man Show: The Men behind the Lens...
If you're down Hatteras way on Friday, swing by REAL Watersports in Waves. They've got the Kona Summer Concert Series featuring the Wilder Brothers...
Wine drinkers can get a little buzz on this week at a variety of venues. * The Whalehead Club Wednesday Wine Festival is from 3 to 7 p.m. every Wednesday this month. * The Wine Festival on the Manteo Waterfront has tastings every Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. * Chip's Wine and Beer has 15 Wines for $15 tastings on Thursday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and Native Vine Tasting Room and Wine Warehouse has Weekly International Reserve Tastings on Fridays...
Have you registered for the OBX Bank Sandbar 5K yet? Do it now. This 5K is on the beach in Kitty Hawk and it's hard and hot, but it raises money for a good cause. You can register on active.com until they sell out at 400 runners. Warning: It's supposed to be high tide at 8 a.m. on Sunday.* I'm trying to decide whether or not to run barefoot...
And before I forget, this weekend is N.C.'s Sales Tax Holiday on school supplies, clothes, shoes, recreational equipment and computers. School is only three weeks away here on the Outer Banks...
I know some of you like to get your information much more quickly, and that's why the By Day and By Night listings on our site are quick and easy to browse - so go there to see what else is going on...And make a comment below if you want...
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.
