Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands are hosting a wave of 4th of July events in 2024

July 2, 2024 | Island Features | By: Joy Crist

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 week 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 Thursday, 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 PYROSTAR, typically lasts about 20 minutes.

The fireworks are visible all along 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.

First-ever 4 for the 4th Race

Barrier Island Group (B.I.G.) will host its first Hatteras Island event – “4 for the 4th”– on Wednesday, July 3.

The run/walk will be held at 7:00 a.m. at the soundside Kinnakeet Shores development in Avon. This event is a family-friendly four-mile run or walk through the neighborhood with tree-lined streets and lakeside views. There will also be a “1776” (foot) fun run for children too young for the four-mile event.

Registration for the four-mile race includes an eco-friendly reusable cup for use on the course and at the after party, a finishers’ 4th-themed wet towel, an incredible finisher medal, a soft-style performance T-shirt, and a delicious post-race breakfast.

Packet pick-up will be at the Froggy Dog Restaurant in Avon on Tuesday from 3 -6 p.m. Folks can also register during this timeframe.

For more information, to register for the event, or to volunteer for race day, please visit https://www.barrierislandgroup.com/ or contact barrierislandtom@gmail.com

Hatteras Village

11h Annual Golf Cart Parade

Hatteras Village’s 4^th of July celebration will start Thursday evening with the 11th Annual Golf Cart Parade, which begins near 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 near 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’s annual 4th of July Sandcastle contest. Photo by Iconic Ocracoke

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 Tuesday, July 2, is listed below.

Tuesday, July 2

7 pm: Pre-fireworks gathering. Ocracoke Island deejay Tommy Hutcherson will spin dance tunes and patriotic songs at the NPS docks.
9:15 pm: Fireworks by Pyrotecnico will be launched from the large National Park Service parking area at the southern end of the island. The NPS parking lot will be closed at 5 pm July 1 through July 2.

Wednesday, July 3

3 to 6 pm. Fundraising Fish Fry for the OPS. Island Inn Commons.
7 to 8:30 pm: Old fashioned Ocracoke Square Dance in the Berkley Barn with Molasses Creek. Charge at the door: $5 for adults 13 and over.

Thursday, July 4

9:30 am – Noon: 43rd Annual Sand Sculpture Contest at the NPS Lifeguard Beach.
10 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 to 4:30 pm: Ocracoke Lighthouse open for viewing. No climbing.
4 pm: Independence Day Parade Theme: Old Tyme Ocracoke
All are welcome to enter the parade to vie for Best Walk & Roll, Best Wheels, Best Float, Best Theme and Best in Show. Sign-up starts at 2:30 at Old Beach Road. Parade starts at Old Beach Road and ends at NPS docks. No throwing water; no political themes.
5:30 pm: Awards presentation for Parade & Sculpture Contest winners; Books to Be Red stage. BYO seating. 6 pm: Fundraising cookout at the United Methodist Church
7 to 10 pm: Community Beach Fire under the Stars at the Ocracoke Day Use Area/NPS Lifeguard Beach. BYO beach blankets, chairs, marshmallows, and roasting sticks.

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