Town of Duck Archives - Joe Lamb Jr. & Associates

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.

Outer Banks 4th of July an All Day Affair

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.

Outer Banks Holidays Begin with Tree Lightings

Seasons Greetings lights up the Town Green in Duck.

This is certainly a great weekend to celebrate the holidays. Christmas is coming—we know that because there were tree lighting ceremonies in Manteo and the Duck—and tonight, Sunday is the first evening of Chanukah.

For most of the folks that live here and our visitors, the tree lightings really seem to mark the true beginnings of the holidays.

Manteo Tree Lighting

Thanksgiving was so early this year that the tree lighting fell on November 30, first time in a while it’s been in November.

The event is so perfectly all the things we associate with the holiday season that it’s no wonder so many people pack the waterfront area of the town.

There’s free Brunswick stew fromMt. Olivet Church in Manteo, hot chocolate and plenty of sugary treats.

What really makes the evening so wonderful are all the local dancers, singers and performers who take to the stage. Held on the front steps of the old Dare County Courthouse, it is a wonderful showcase for how much people care in the community.

There was a little bit of rain this year, so some of the entertainment was compressed, but Santa still made his appearance—with the combined choruses of all the Manteo schools and the tree lit up the night beautifully.

We weren’t able to get to it this year, but there is a Christmas parade on Saturday every year in Manteo.

Town of Duck and It’s Crab Pot Tree

The Town of Duck has its own distinctive way of lighting up the night with festive lights. Stacking crab pots in the shape of a tree, lights are draped over them and it makes for a different but wonderful way to welcome the holidays and pay tribute to the history of the area.

The Town Green has become the cultural center of the village and that’s where everything happens. The music—Just Playing Dixieland was a lot of fun, with a highlight when they brought some of the younger children on stage to shake bells and sing Jingle Bells.

There’s always cookies and hot chocolate. The Dare County SPCA is always on hand—it is a very dog friendly event—and even though it is very different than the Manteo tree lighting—it still has the same feel of togetherness and joy.

Santa Claus does, of course, come to town, and in Duck he has a bounce in his step and a joy in his laugh that will make all children smile.

The holidays are the perfect time to visit the Outer Banks. Check out our Joe Lamb, Jr. & Associates listings for the best accommodations.

Santa Claus, Tree Lighting and the Spirit of Chrismas

Friday, November 30, is when the Manteo Christmas Tree will be lit.

Annual Event Welcomes Santa and the Holiday Season

Tomorrow night, Friday, is the night…the night that jolly old elf, Santa Claus comes to town in Manteo.

In what may be one of the most amazing small town Christmas celebrations anywhere, the town of Manteo lights the giant fir tree on the waterfront and welcomes Santa Claus to the Outer Banks.

The Annual Manteo Tree Lighting has been a part of the town’s holiday traditions for over 45 years, and it includes—but is not limited to—free Brunswick stew from a local church, hot chocolate, choirs from local schools and churches singing and of course the big guy in the bright red suit, who always throws the switch on the lights.

It all centered around the old Dare County Courthouse that’s now the Dare County Arts Council Gallery, which is a great place to gather.

After lighting the tree, Santa heads into the upstairs gallery to wait the throngs of children waiting to whisper their Christmas dreams to him.

It’s great fun and for anyone on the Outer Banks, it should not be missed. It will be a little bit chilly, but not too bad tomorrow night. There will be a lot of people on hand, so parking can be a bit difficult. It’s worth it though.

If getting to the Manteo celebration can’t be worked out, don’t despair, there’s still the the Crab Pot Tree Lighting in the Town of Duck on Saturday.

This is a daytime event and it is a blast.

When Santa shows up in Duck, he always seems well-rested and at his best, so we’re very confident in giving the Duck Santa a five out of five star rating.

The Duck celebrations include live Dixieland music from the stage on the Village Green and hot chocolate.

Joe Lamb, Jr. & Associates is definitely in the spirit of the season. Check us out and see what’s available to celebrate the holidays on the Outer Banks.

Chamber Music Comes to Outer Banks

Here’s just about a perfect way to end the summer on a high note—the Don and Catharine Bryan Cultural Series is bringing chamber music to four locations on the Outer Banks.

Looking at the professional experiences of the musicians, these are incredibly accomplished artists with very strong performance backgrounds. The concerts are free, and what is particularly nice about this series are how perfect the settings are for chamber music.

It will be interesting to see how the Blue Point sets up the restaurant to accommodate the musicians, but no matter what it will be great music with amazing food.

Although all of the venues should be excellent for chamber music—with the Blue Point caveat included—one evening in particular may really be worth considering. The Wednesday concert at the Town of Duck Amphitheater is an outdoor setting that is beautiful. Set in a slight bowl, the sound should be perfect and, although now weather forecast is faultless, right now conditions appear ideal for an outdoor concert.

Surf and Sounds Chamber Music Series-Venue Schedule

All Saints Episcopal Church, Southern Shores

Tues August 23, 7:00 p.m.

Town of Duck Amphitheater, Duck

Wed. August 24, 7:00 p.m.

Blue Point, Duck

Thursday August 25 – 6:00 p.m.

Dare County Arts Council, Manteo

Friday August 26, 7:00 p.m.

Fireworks Light Up OBX Night Sky

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.

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OBX Beach Nourishment a Go for 2017

Kitty Hawk Beach during a storm. Kitty Hawk is particularly vulnerable to ocean encroachment.

Beach nourishment is back on track and will begin in the spring of 2017. Originally scheduled to begin for the towns of Duck, Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills in April of this year, initial bids were $4 million over estimates and were rejected.

A number of officials expressed the view that the dredging companies qualified to handle the task were tied up with a major project on the Mississippi River this year and did not feel an urgency to place competitive bids.

It would appear as though that was the case. The winning bid from Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company was $4.9 million less than the $43 million set aside for the project. Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company was the company that handled the Nags Head project in 2011.

Beach nourishment is being funded through an intralocal agreement requiring the towns to pay 40% of the cost and the county picking up the rest of the tab. The towns have created Municipal Service Districts (MSD) with properties closest to the beach paying additional property tax.

In Dare County, the Nags Head was the pioneer in beach nourishment. Although there have been some issues with sand encroaching on properties, there has been no property damage caused by ocean overwash since the town’s project was completed in 2011.

If all goes as planned nourishment will begin in April of 2017.

Anticipated Project Schedule Provided by Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company:

Town of Duck

Start Date: April 1, 2017

End Date: June 1, 2017

Town of Kitty Hawk

Start Date: June 1, 2017

End Date: August 20, 2017

Town of Kill Devil Hill

Start Date: August 20, 2017

End Date: October 10, 2017

Tag: Town of Duck