2023 Hatteras Christmas Parade in Photos… WITH SLIDESHOW
Photos by Don Bowers
Spirits were bright at the 32nd annual Hatteras Village Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 9, with sunny weather throughout the afternoon, and several hundred residents and visitors lining the sides of N.C. Highway 12 to catch a glimpse of this year’s show.
There were approximately 30 parade entries for the 2023 event, which included guest appearances from the Avengers team, the Grinch, and even Barbie, (and Ken.)
The parade kicked off with the Dare County Sheriff and the signature Conner’s Supermarket vintage car, followed by the Cape Hatteras Secondary School (CHSS) Marching Band, which set a lively tone for the procession that followed.
There were a number of stand-outs at this year’s parade, including an action-packed Avenger float, a Barbie-themed float, an appearance by the Grinch, and vehicles and vessels of all kinds.
The parade featured fire trucks from the island’s Volunteer Fire Departments, boats from the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, and a collection of vintage cars, bikes, and vehicles/equipment from the Hatteras Island Rescue Squad and HI CERT team. A mini horse was even spotted in the procession pulling a small carriage, and a team of reindeer-themed bikes made a splash, as did a collection of decked-out golf carts.
The parade ended – as it traditionally does – with Santa Claus waving to the crowd from the back of the Hatteras Village Volunteer Fire Department truck, followed by a live announcement of the parade winners in the village center.
Though the parade took just 20 minutes from start to finish, bystanders agreed that the event was one of the most entertaining in years, with plenty of sunshine and candy to go around.
This year’s winners are as follows:
- First Place: Surf or Sound Realty with a Grinch theme
- Second Place: Midgett Realty with Barbie theme
- Third Place: CHSS Marching Band
- Best Golf Cart: Risky Business Seafood
