Celebrations, Fireworks Planned in Avon and Ocracoke for Fourth of July

Visitors to Hatteras and Ocracoke islands over the Independence Day weekend will be treated to two fireworks shows over the local waters, in addition to an array of corresponding events.

Ocracoke will have their fireworks display on Monday, July 3, while Hatteras will have their fireworks show in Avon the following night on Tuesday, July 4. Both communities will also host a number of activities and events along with the show, which are outlined as follows.

HATTERAS ISLAND FIREWORKS AND EVENTS

Hatteras Island’s annual Independence Day celebration, “Fireworks at the Beach” on July 4, is sponsored by the Avon Property Owners Association and is funded in part by the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau.   

The fireworks display, permitted by and in cooperation with the National Park Service, will begin about 9:15 p.m. on July 4 from a launch site at the end of the Avon Pier.  The show, presented by PYROTECNICO, lasts about 20 minutes.

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

The Koru Beach Klub, which is next to the Avon Pier, will also be hosting a live concert with country music singer Bryan Mayer. In addition, the venue will also feature poolside fire dancing, and drinks at the on-site Tiki Bars. Tickets for the concert, (which includes entrance to the Beach Klub), are $10 while supplies last, and can be reserved online at http://www.koruvillage.com/koru-things-to-do/.

Radio Hatteras will broadcast patriotic “Music for Fireworks” from 9 until 10 p.m. and “Red, White & Blue” music until Midnight at FM 101.5 and 99.9.  Tune in at 9 p.m. to hear Bob Barris talk a little about the origin of fireworks and offer a brief history lesson about the celebration of Independence Day.  Then watch the sky light up to a very familiar Galactic tune, followed by a selection of patriotic music.  To stream Radio Hatteras live on your computer, go to www.radiohatteras.org.

This event is additionally made possible through donations from the Hatteras Island business community and its residents, property owners, and guests. Corporate sponsors to date for this event are Avon Property Owners Association, Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative, Outer Banks Ace Hardware, Koru Village, Outer Beaches Realty, Sun Realty, Surf or Sound Realty, Hatteras Realty, Greater Kinnakeet Shores Homeowners, Inc., and the Avon Fishing Pier.

Other sponsors include the Kinnakeet Shores Property Owners Assn., Rodanthe-Waves-Salvo Civic Assn., The Froggy Dog, Cape Pines Motel, Resort Realty, Conner’s Supermarket, Hatteras Island Boardsports, Burger Burger, Askins Creek Store, Cape Hatteras Motel, Gidget’s Pizza & Pasta, Turner’s High Moon Bar, Dirty Dick’s, and the Sarkisian Family, in memory of their son Timothy Sarkisian who loved fireworks.  APOA and the Avon Fireworks Committee sincerely thank all the contributors who make this celebration possible.

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.

OCRACOKE ISLAND FIREWORKS

Ocracoke Island will host a fireworks show for the second year in the row after a six year hiatus as part of a two-day Fourth of July Celebration.

The fireworks will be launched from the southern end of the island on Monday, July 3, at the large NPS parking area, and will be visible from multiple vantage points along Silver Lake Harbor. The show is made possible thanks to collaborative efforts from the National Park Service, Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department, Hyde County, Dare County, and NCDOT Ferry Division.

Additional events on Monday, July 3, include a traditional Ocracoke Square Dance with legendary local band Molasses Creek at the Community Square. There will also be a gathering along the National Park Service docks with DJ Tommy Hutcherson both before and after the show.

July 4 will kick off with the annual Sand Sculpture Contest on the Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach, as well as a morning flag raising in Ocracoke village.

Additional events slated for the Fourth of July include a Classic Car Show, the annual Fourth of July Parade followed by Storytelling and an Awards Ceremony, and an evening Community Bonfire at the Lifeguarded Beach.

For more information or to ask about entering the parade, call Ocracoke Civic and Business Association – the sponsor of the event – at 252-928-6711 or email info@ocracokevillage.com.