Government Mule Sunday At RIFP

Our personal favorite float from the Town of Duck's 4th of July Annual Parade.
Our personal favorite float from the Town of Duck’s 4th of July Annual Parade.

There is so much to celebrate on the Outer Banks during the summer that it can almost seem overwhelming.

Yesterday it was the 4th of July and what a great day it was. The weather held and the celebrations were magnificent.

We started the day at the Town of Duck’s annual parade, which is one of the whackiest, most wonderful small town parade imaginable. The parade has wonderful homemade floats—we loved the cardboard float. It has a jump rope, trumpet playing unicycle rider. Santa Clause always shows up, although his is in red shorts.

After the parade, there are free popsicles and watermelon at the town green with live music. Big kudos to Just Playing Dixieland for bringing about two dozen kids on stage to do a kazoo version of “When the Saints Go Marching In.”

We ended up on the beach watching fireworks paint the night sky. Particularly nice touch, just before the night sky took over, a pod of dolphin went by just off the beach.

It really doesn’t get much better than that.

Government Mule Sunday at Roanoke Island Festival Park

But the weekend doesn’t stop there.

Sunday, it Government Mule at Roanoke Island Festival Parkin Manteo.

The tour is being billed as their 20th Anniversary Tour. If ever a group owed its longevity to skill and talent over flash and dazzle, Government Mule is it. Their should is a little bit hard to categorize. It’s rock based, but with a lot of other influences.

RIFP is a wonderful place for an outdoor concert. The setting is beautiful, overlooking Shallowbag Bay and nighttime is perfect for a live summertime concert on the Outer Banks. 

Government Mule is the big name, but there is music somewhere on the Outer Bank every night during the summer.

Summer is wonderful on the Outer Banks, but every time of the year is special in its own way. Spend a week or two with Joe Lamb, Jr. & Associates and relax on island time…even if the Outer Banks are not truly islands.

Two Great Bands Coming to Festival Park

Government Mule will be playing Roanoke Island Festival Park July 7.
Government Mule will be playing Roanoke Island Festival Park July 7.

The live music scene on the Outer Banks is pretty amazing, but this summer it looks like it just went to another level.

There are two bands that will be performing at Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo in the next few weeks that, for good reason, are nationally recognized talent.

It would be hard to imagine a better outdoor venue to see live music than RIFP. Perched on a peninsula in Roanoke Sound, the setting is beautiful and the sound system does a great job of getting the music to all corners.

In some ways the bands are completely. Crowder is a Christian rock artist; Government Mule is one of the best rock and roll bands anywhere. What they have in common, though, are great musicians and a great show.

Crowder, Wednesday, June 19

This is Crowder’s second visit to the Outer Banks. Three years ago he wowed the audience with an amazing show that featured great theatrics as well as amazing music.

The lyrics and theme of the music is certainly Christian, but what makes Crowder standout is how innovative his arrangements are, great stage effects, but mostly his sound is great rock and roll.

Government Mule, Sunday, July 7

The easy way to describe Government Mule is a rock and roll band, but then listen to their amazing version of the Etta James classic “I’d Rather Go Blind” and they become one of the finest blues bands ever. 

Or check out how they sound covering Pink Floyd, and maybe they’re taking a trip back into psychedelia.

The point is, these guys are amazing.

The show is on a Sunday, which for a lot of our guests is a getaway day. Delay if you can. For guests coming on Saturday or Sunday of that week…don’t miss this one.

Summer is here and the Outer Banks is the perfect summer vacation spot. Be sure to stay in a Joe Lamb, Jr & Associates home to enjoy the best of the Outer Banks.