Two Popular Day at the Docks Events Rescheduled for Saturday, September 28
Though the 15th Annual Day at the Docks celebration was canceled due to Hurricane Dorian, two cornerstone events from the festival have been rescheduled for Saturday, September 28.
The Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation has rescheduled their annual Chowder Cook Off for Saturday, 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., with a new venue at the Hatteras Civic Center.
The always-popular Chowder Cook Off is a source of bragging rights for local chefs and restaurants everywhere, and the competition pits area eateries against each other for the coveted prize of best chowder on the island.
The real winner is the public at large, as all attendees get to sample the chowders to judge their favorites, and determine the eventual champion. This year’s rescheduled event is free and open to the public, although donations to the Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation – an all-volunteer group that provides support for cancer patients who live on Hatteras Island – are greatly appreciated.
The annual Blessing of the Fleet will also occur on Saturday, September 28, and will launch from the local Hatteras village waterfront near Oden’s Dock and the Hatteras Harbor Marina. The event begins with the Parade of Boats at 5:30 p.m., followed by the official Blessing at 6:00 p.m., and cumulates with a community dinner at the Hatteras Village Civic Center at 7:00 p.m.
The Blessing of the Fleet has been a tradition since Day at the Docks’ inaugural event in 2004. In fact, when Day at the Docks was canceled due to the impending arrival of Hurricane Florence in 2018, the Blessing of the Fleet was still held just a few weeks after its original scheduled timeframe, with dozens of vessels participating in the somber but uplifting moment of gratitude, prayer, and remembrance.
The public is welcome to attend either or both of the Day at the Docks’ festivities on Saturday, and both events are free. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/hatterasdayatthedocks/.
