Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands are hosting a wave of 4th of July events in 2023

Independence Day is on the horizon, and there are a number of patriotic events lined up on Hatteras and Ocracoke islands to celebrate the holiday.

A closer look at the festivities planned throughout the day is listed below by community.

Avon

The Avon Fishing Pier will once again host the fireworks display on Hatteras Island, which is scheduled to launch on Tuesday, July 4.

The fireworks display, permitted by and in cooperation with the National Park Service, will begin at 9:15 p.m. from a launch site at the end of the Avon Pier. The ensuing show, presented by the contractor PYROTECNICO, typically lasts about 20 minutes.

The fireworks are visible all along the Avon beach, and parking adjacent to the launch site is limited, so visitors are encouraged to walk, bike, or carpool to their closest beach access.

Visitors are advised to avoid surfing or swimming within 500 feet of the pier in any direction, as it is highly dangerous and the Dare County Fire Marshal could call off the event due to any unsafe conditions. In 2022, people in the water near the Avon Pier caused an approximately 15-minute delay in the fireworks show, per event organizers.

Hatteras Island’s annual Independence Day celebration is sponsored by the Avon Property Owners Association (APOA) and is funded in part by the Outer Bank Visitors Bureau. The event is additionally made possible through generous donations from the Hatteras Island business community and its residents, property owners, and guests. The APOA is also grateful to Joe Thompson, Avon Pier Concessionaire, for his continued support and assistance in providing a location for the pyrotechnics show

Hatteras Village

10th Annual Golf Cart Parade.

Hatteras Village’s 4^th of July celebration will launch Tuesday evening with the 10th Annual Golf Cart Parade, which begins at Teach’s Lair Marina at 6:00 p.m. Any and all golf carts are welcome, and participants are encouraged to deck out their carts with as much patriotic flair as possible.

Folks can sign up to participate in the parade beforehand via the event’s link at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e48aba72babfbc16-july, or participants can just show up at Teach’s Marina by 5:45 p.m. on July 4.

The Golf Cart Parade is free to enter, and spectators can watch the fun along N.C. Highway 12 from Teach’s Lair Marina to Eagle Pass Road.

Community Cookout

Hatteras village residents and visitors are also invited to come get a fresh-off-the-grill burger or hot dog at a free community cookout at the village center from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. on July 4. Chips and drinks will also be available.

Ocracoke Island

The festivities on Ocracoke Island begin on July 2 and last through July 4.

A detailed look at all Independence Day celebrations on Ocracoke Island, including the annual fireworks show on Sunday, July 2, is listed below.

Sunday, July 2

• 6:30 p.m.: Pre-fireworks gathering: Ocracoke Island deejay with Tommy Hutcherson will spin dance tunes and patriotic songs at the NPS docks.
• 9:15 p.m.: Fireworks will be launched from the large National Park Service parking area at the southern end of the island. Hyde County sponsors the show in conjunction with the National Park Service. The NPS parking lot will be closed all day July 2 while the fireworks company sets up.

Monday, July 3

• 6:30-8:30 p.m. Old fashioned Ocracoke square dance in the Berkley Barn with Molasses Creek. $5 for those 13 and over.

Tuesday, July 4:

• 9:30 a.m.–Noon: Sand Sculpture Contest for all ages at the NPS Lifeguard Beach. Sign-up starts at 8:30 am.
• 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Ocracoke Lighthouse open for viewing. No climbing. Islander Chester Lynn will talk between 10:30 and 12:30.
• 4:00 p.m.: Old Time Independence Day Parade. Theme: The 200th anniversary of the Ocracoke lighthouse. Awards for best in show, walk & roll, wheels, float and best theme. Sign-up starts at 3 pm across from Wheelie Fun Golf Carts, Irvin Garrish Hwy. & Old Beach Road.  Parade starts at 4 pm at Wheelie Fun; ends at NPS parking lot.
  The Hyde County Sheriff’s Department admonishes spectators not to throw water of any kind at the parade members.
• 5:30 p.m.: Singing of national anthem & awards presentation for parade & sculpture contest winners; Books to Be Red stage. BYO seating.
• 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.: Community Beach Fire under the stars at NPS Lifeguard Beach. BYO chairs. You are welcome to bring marshmallows to roast. Please pack in and Pack out.

Independence Day activities are sponsored by the Ocracoke Occupancy Tax Board, Hyde County and the Ocracoke Civic & Business Association.