Tag: Independence Day

Outer Banks 4th of July an All Day Affair

Fireworks over Avalon Pier, Kill Devil Hills.
Fireworks over Avalon Pier, Kill Devil Hills.

On the Outer Banks the 4th of July is pretty much an all day affair. There’s a parade; there’s a street fair—two of them, really. And of course fireworks. Spectacular fireworks.

One of our favorite ways to start our Independence Day celebration and really get us in the mood for the rest of the day is to check out the town of Duck’s 4th of July parade.

Parade, Town of Duck, 9:00 a.m.

Nothing that we have seen is quite like it. It is this wonderful combination of the weird, wacky and love of country that it is impossible to walk away and not be smiling.

Plan to arrive a bit early. Parking and traffic can be a problem.

 The Duck parade is a morning event, so there’s plenty of time to get ready for the afternoon events.

There are two of them and they lead right into some spectacular fireworks.

Whalehead Club, Corolla, 3:00 p.m.

Fireworks at Dusk

Games, competitions and rides geared toward children during the afternoon. Lots of food vendors are always on hand and usually there’s fundraiser or church group thrown in the mix with some delicious homemade goodies.

The setting is beautiful and the fireworks over Currituck Sound is as good as it gets.

Manteo Waterfront, 3:00 p.m.

The Manteo 4th of July festivities are street fair and celebration all rolled into one. 

A lot of food vendors, craft booths, offbeat and original competitions—Wacky Hat and Best Bike Decoration contests—and the traditional. Best apple pie…it doesn’t get any more traditional than that.

Live music all day. Just a wonderful, wonderful time.

The fireworks are lit off at Roanoke Island Festival Park, but can be easily seen anywhere along the waterfront.

Just Fireworks

Nags Head, Nags Head Fishing Pier

Kill Devil Hills, Avalon Pier

There is something indescribably wonderful about sitting on the beach and watching fireworks. Making it better, the towns do a really nice job of putting on an excellent show.

The two locations are about five miles apart, so it is possible to sit in the middle of the piers and watch both shows. Some of the sound and effects are lost over distance, but it is a pretty cool experience.

We hope you’re as excited as we are at Joe Lamb, Jr. & Associates about celebrating our nation’s birthday.

A Fantastic Independence Day Week on the Outer Banks

Fireworks at Kill Devil Hills, Friday July 7, 2017.
Fireworks at Kill Devil Hills, Friday July 7, 2017.

What a great Independence Day week we just had here on the Outer Banks–parades, fireworks and small town feel made it ideal. Everything just seemed to fall into place to create a memorable time.

July 4th, the official holiday, sure was fun. Yes, there were some weather issues—the Whalehead Club had to cancel their fireworks because of storms—but there were enough celebrations elsewhere to make up for that.

The Celebrations

We always start at the town of Duck’s Independence Day parade because it is such a perfect reminder of what Outer Banks life is all about. Then it was off to Manteo with its small town feel and a wonderful evening of music from the 208th Army Band at Roanoke Island Festival Park.

Yes, it was raining just a bit, but it never rained hard at all and the umbrellas were out. Off in the distance we could see the Nags Head fireworks going off, and then it was Manteo’s turn, and the town truly seemed to outdo themselves this year.

Extending Independence Day Celebrations

What really seemed to mark the 2017 celebrations as different was a classic example of making lemons from lemonade.

It seems licensed fireworks companies were in short supply this year, and the town of Kill Devil Hills couldn’t find anyone who could qualify to put on a show on the Fourth. They were able, though, to schedule their display on Friday.

A bit of a delay but it seemed to change the feel for the week. Somewhat like stretching Christmas out to three or four days.

The beach was packed on both sides of Avalon Pier where the fireworks were lit, and no matter what the location on the beach, the show was spectacular.

It was a nice way to celebrate our nation’s birth and a great way to remember there is far more that binds us as Americans than it may appear at times.

Outer Banks Independence Day Celebrations

4th of July, 2016. Fireworks over the Atlantic Ocean.
4th of July, 2016. Fireworks over the Atlantic Ocean.

It looks as though the annual Independence Day celebrations on the Outer Banks are going to be extended a bit this year. According to reports in local media, Kill Devil Hills had to move their fireworks celebration to Friday evening because of a shortage of fireworks.

Regardless, that’s not a completely bad situation since it gives everyone a chance to see the night sky painted with fireworks.

We always recommend starting at the Duck Independence Day Parade. Beginning at 9:00 a.m., the parade is the first event of the day, and it is a great way to get in the mood for a day of fun and celebration. A whacky tribute to the American spirit, its worth the effort getting there. Parking can be a bit of an issue so get there early or expect to walk.

We haven’t heard of anything special being planned for the Whalehead Club but this is their 25th Anniversary of Fireworks. It’s always a daylong event at Currituck Heritage Park, the location of the Whalehead Club, and a day that’s wonderfully geared toward families.

Ditto on that for Manteo which is another of those quintessentially American celebrations of Independence. The Army Band will be on hand at Roanoke Island Festival Park to provide live music. And that will be followed by fireworks.

Nags Head will be holding their fireworks at 9:25 and that may be the place to be. There is something magical about sitting on a beach towel, on a summer’s night at the edge of a continent of freedom. As the night sky is lit with exploding colors it’s a reminder of how precious our freedoms are.

Independence Day Schedule of Events

(Events arranged by time)

9:00 a.m.

Duck Parade
Scarborough Lane to Pamela Court
Live music by Just Playn’ Dixieland and awards ceremony, Duck Town Park, after parade

Noon
25th Annual Independence Day Celebration

Festival of Fireworks, Whalehead Club

Historic Corolla Park

3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Independence Day celebration, Manteo

208th Army Band concert, Roanoke Island Festival Park, 8 p.m.

Fireworks, downtown waterfront

9:25

Nags Head Fireworks, Nags Head Pier

All Day: Statewide
Free fishing on any body of water in North Carolina, no license required.

Friday, July 7

Kill Devil Hills
Fireworks, Avalon Pier, 9:15 p.m.

(All Fireworks begin between 9:15 and 9:30)

Fireworks Light Up OBX Night Sky

Fireworks at Avalon pPer reflected off the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
Fireworks at Avalon pPer reflected off the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

It seems as though there was something for everyone this July 4th on the Outer Banks. A crazy wacky parade in the Town of Duck—their 12 Annual 4th of July Parade. Up at the Whalehead Club it was it was an evening filled with family friendly events capped off with fireworks over the sound.

Manteo was in the act as well with live music and fireworks at Roanoke Island Festival Park. A beautiful setting and a great place for music.

Everyone has a favorite place to to go on Independence Day to see fireworks and we have to admit there is something powerful and wonderful about watching fireworks light up the night sky over the ocean at the edge of a continent.

Kill Devil Hills at Avalon Pier and Nags Head at Nags Head Pier put on quite a show last night. It had rained earlier in the day but by the time the first rocket exploded over the sea, there wasn’t a hint of rain in the air.

The sea was almost calm, and there was a light breeze from the south—near perfect conditions for an evening of fireworks. Reflected off the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, the display did not disappoint.

Independence Day Explodes on OBX

Ready to parade at the Town of Duck's annual July 4th celebration.
Ready to parade at the Town of Duck’s annual July 4th celebration.

The Outer Banks is about to explode. Blow up. Light the sky. Ok…not literally, it’s just that July 4th is coming and with all the celebrations of our nations birthday there will be plenty to do and plenty of fireworks.

For people who like to start their day gasping for air as their muscles cry out for relief, check out the Killer Dunes 2-miler. That two miles over the sand dunes of Jockey Ridge State Park is on two miles of consistently soft sand; that two miles will probably feel more like 20 by the end.

A quick shower and the town of Manteo is just 10 minutes away from Jockey’s Ridge. The Independence Day celebration is an all day affair for the town—food, games and entertainment all day long and fireworks at Roanoke Island Festival Park at night.

The Town of Duck knows how to put on a good time and their Annual Independence Day Parade has to be experienced to be described. A touch of insanity, a good dose of humor and a great time for everyone. The parade starts at 9:00 a.m. and although the route never makes it to NC12, traffic gets really backed up in the morning. It’s good to be hard of that.

Lots of fireworks too in the evening. Everywhere from the Whalehead Club in Corolla to Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head and Manteo. A tip from a long time resident—the beach is great place to watch the fireworks. Another tip—the Whalehead Club is always spectacular.

4th of July Events

2016 Killer Dunes 2-Miler & Fun Run

8:30am

Jockey’s Ridge State Park, Nags Head

A2 mile course on the tallest natural sand dune system in the Eastern United States! Quarter-mile Fun Run also available for all ages. Proceeds benefit Friends of Jockey’s Ridge.

12th Annual Town of Duck 4th of July Parade

9:00 a.m.

Town of Duck

After the parade, Duck Town Park features a Dixieland band, watermelon and the awarding of trophies.

Town of Manteo 4th of July Celebration

Celebrate the birth of our nation with a day filled with activities.

July 4th Celebration with Town of Manteo Fireworks/Live Concert

Roanoke Island Festival Park Outdoor Pavilion

Music and Fireworks-Lawn chairs, blankets and picnics and families and friends. The nation celebrates July 4th at Roanoke IslandFestivalPark. A patriotic concert will began at 8 p.m.roanokeisland.com

The Town of Kill Devil Hills 4th of July

Avon Pier

Town Of Nags Head Fireworks Spectacular

Nags Head Fishing Pier

Town of Manteo Fireworks

Downtown Manteo. Fireworks begin at 9:30 at RIFP.

Whalehead Club-24th Annual Independence Day Celebration

Corolla Festival of Fireworks Monday, July 4th, 2016 from 12pm – 9pm

The 24th Annual Independence Day Celebration in Corolla offers an afternoon of family activities. Food vendors, a cornhole tournament, watermelon eating contest, and children’s games. Admission and parking are free; event starts at 5:00 p.m. with a fireworks display at dusk.

#Joelambjr