July 4 celebrations scheduled for Hatteras and Ocracoke

Fireworks are returning to Ocracoke Island this year and are again scheduled on Hatteras Island at Avon Pier, and both Hatteras village and Ocracoke have events and activities scheduled for much of the day on Monday, July 4,  including the traditional and very popular Old Time Parade in Ocracoke and the newer but popular Golf Cart Parade in Hatteras.

Islanders and visitors should remember that all fireworks – except the show at the Avon Pier and in Ocracoke — are illegal in all of the villages of Hatteras and on Ocracoke and on all National Park Service lands and beaches.  Call 911 to report illegal fireworks.

Here’s the rundown so far for Monday, July 4:

AVON FIREWORKS

“Fourth of July Fireworks at the Beach” is sponsored by the Avon Property Owners Association and funded in part by the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau.  The fireworks display will begin about 9:10 p.m. from a launch site at the end of the Avon Pier, permitted by and in cooperation with the National Park Service.  The show lasts about 20 minutes.

This event is additionally made possible through  donations from the Hatteras Island business community, residents, property owners, and guests.

Corporate sponsors to date for this event are Avon Property Owners Association, Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative, Greater Kinnakeet Shores Homeowners, Inc., Outer Banks Ace Hardware, Koru Village, Outer Beaches Realty, Sun Realty, Surf or Sound Realty and Hatteras Realty.

Other sponsors are Kinnakeet Shores Property Owners Association., Cape Pines Motel, Resort Realty, Rodanthe-Waves-Salvo Civic Association, Conner’s Supermarket, Hatteras Island Boardsports, WIND-NC, Burger Burger, Askins Creek Store, Cape Hatteras Motel, Gidget’s Pizza & Pasta, Turner’s High Moon Bar, Ketch 55, Midgett Realty, Lighthouse View Motel and the Sarkisian Family, in memory of their son Timothy Sarkisian who loved fireworks.

Donations are still being accepted.  Make your check payable to APOA Fireworks and either mail to APOA, P. O. Box 9, Avon, NC 27915 or drop it by the Spa Koru desk.

Fireworks are visible all along the Avon beach and parking is limited, so walk, bike or carpool.

INDEPENDENCE DAY ON RADIO HATTERAS

Radio Hatteras will broadcast “Music for Fireworks” from 9 until 10 p.m. at FM 101.5 and 99.9.

Following the fireworks, from 10 to midnight, the station will play songs with red, white or blue in the title.

At 5 p.m., the station will broadcast a locally-produced show, featuring the reading of the Declaration of Independence with explanations by Braxton Hall. You can stream Radio Hatteras live on your computer. Go to www.radiohatteras.org.

HATTERAS VILLAGE

The annual Golf Cart Parade will begin at 4 p.m. at Hatteras Harbor Court, which is next to Hatteras Harbor Marina. It will run through the village and end at the Hatterasman Drive-In. Winners will be announced at 4:45 on the steps of the Community Center. Winners will receive bragging rights and a gift certificate from a local village business.

From 5 until 8 p.m. in the village center, the Cape Hatteras Secondary School Class of 2019 will sell hot dogs, burgers, and tacos in a bag, as well as drinks. Locals and visitors can buy dinner and snacks, sign up for the Corn Hole tournament, and listen to favorite local band, Raygun Ruby, which will be playing outdoors.

The cornhole tournament entry fee is $10, and prize money is dependent upon number of entries. Interested participants need to sign up by 5:30 p.m. beside the post office.

VETERANS HONORING AMERICA

The Hatteras Island Veteran Support Group will sponsor an event, “Veterans Honoring America,” from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Saturday through Monday, July 2-4, at the Hatterasman Drive-In restaurant in Hatteras village.

This event will be a three-day outdoor exhibit of military-related items. Hatteras veterans, their friends, and relatives are invited to bring items to display for the general public that is related to some facet of the military — for example, old uniforms, badges, awards, items from foreign lands, old jeeps or other equipment, other countries moneys, vests, hats, and so on.  

Currently, the support group has in the area of the restaurant, a mobile mini-Vietnam Memorial Wall, lots of items and clothing to show, and two large tents with displays. The group’s goal is to fill up the parking lots and the Veteran Memorial Park area with items to be viewed.

There is no cost to attend this event, but there will be donation jars — 100 percent of the funds raised through donations goes to helping veterans.

TWO-DAY CELEBRATION ON OCRACOKE

Ocracoke plans a two-day celebration of Independence Day, beginning with a day of events, capped by fireworks in the evening on Sunday, July 3, and continuing with another full day of events that will include the Old-Time Ocracoke Parade.

Sunday, July 3

11a.m. – 2 p.m. Classic Car Show. On the Pony Island Motel lawn, sponsored by Jimmy’s Garage.

6 – 8 p.m. Traditional Island Square Dance. Music by Molasses Creek, with Philip Howard as caller.

8 – 9:15 p.m. Party at the NPS docks with Deejay Tommy Hutcherson. Enjoy some rockin’ tunes while you wait for the fireworks to begin.

9:15 p.m. Fireworks. Gather around Silver Lake harbor to see the show. Please walk or bike. Parking is limited.

Monday, July 4

9 a.m. Flag raising ceremony and singing of National Anthem. Led by Ocracoke Boy Scout Troop  290 at the School Circle on School Road.

9:30 a.m. – noon. 39th annual sand sculpture contest. At the NPS Lifeguard Beach.

10 a.m. – 2 p.m.  Ocracoke Lighthouse. The lighthouse will be open for viewing – all are welcome to see inside.

1 p.m. Skydivers at Ocracoke Community Park.

4 p.m. Old Time Ocracoke Parade. Entrants should register by 3 p.m. on July 4 at the Fig Tree Deli/Sweet Tooth. Entry forms available at the Post Office and throughout village. Parade route starts at Ocracoke Oyster Company, left on Lighthouse Road, right on Creek Road, right on Silver Lake Drive, follow road around harbor to parade’s end at NPS parking lot. Winners announced at Lifeguard Beach parking lot at 7 p.m.

7 p.m. Awards Presentation. NEW this year: The awards presentation will be held at the Lifeguard Beach Parking Lot/Boardwalk. Awards announced for Sand Sculpture Contest and Parade

7 – 10 p.m. Community Beach Fire at Lifeguard Beach. Also new for 2016. Join friends and neighbors at the Lifeguard Beach for a family-friendly beach fire and party.

Events are sponsored by Ocracoke Civic and Business Association with lots of assistance. Live broadcasts will be by Ocracoke’s WOVV 90.1.