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Communities are gathering once again to celebrate our nation’s Independence Day. Check out 4^th of July local festivities and details below:

Ocracoke will offer weekend events, kicking off with an island-wide scavenger hunt on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sign up at the Books to be Red stage. At 8 p.m., deejay Tommy Hutcherson will spin dance songs and patriotic tunes at the NPS docks before the fireworks display at 9:15. Fireworks will be launched at the southern end of the island from the National Park Service parking area (which will be closed).

Sunday events include the 41^st Annual Sand Sculpture Contest at the NPS Lifeguard Beach from 9:30 a.m. to noon; lighthouse viewing from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (no climbing); the Old Time Independence Parade at 4 p.m. (this year’s theme is The Roaring 20s); the singing of the national anthem and awards presentation at 5:30 p.m. at the Books to Be Red stage; and the community beach bonfire from 7-10 p.m. at the Ocracoke Day Use Area/NPS Lifeguard Beach. Bring your own blankets, chairs, marshmallows and roasting sticks. For entry forms for the parade and sculpture contest, visit visitocracokevillage.com/events.

The Currituck Historical Society will host a Kid’s Bike Parade and reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 4 at 2 p.m. at the Currituck Courthouse. Prizes and refreshments will be available. Children who participate will receive a new $2 bill with a picture of the signing of the Declaration and gift bag. For more information, call 252-619-6991.

Manteo events kick off at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 4 with a welcome and the national anthem at the courthouse stage, followed by a wacky hat contest, decorated bike contest, apple pie contest and games beginning at 3:15. Formula Band plays from 4:30-6:30 p.m. and Silver Bullets play at the Boathouse Stage from 7-9 p.m. The evening festivities conclude with a fireworks display after dark over the waters of Shallowbag Bay.

Roanoke Island Festival Park is hosting a free Independence Day concert featuring local favorite Johnny Waters & Company beginning at 8 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m. and parking is first come first serve. OBX Yogurt will offer concessions. Visitors are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket and enjoy the music and then watch the fireworks display over the water. Those not vaccinated for COVID-19 are encouraged to wear a face covering.

Nags Head will present the annual Fireworks Spectacular display at 9:25 p.m. on Sunday, July 4 at Nags Head Fishing Pier. The rain date will be Monday, July 5. Visitors are encouraged to walk or ride bikes as parking is limited.

Kill Devil Hills will offer a firework show on Sunday, July 4 at 9:15 p.m. at the Avalon Pier. The event will be livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook.

Avon will set off fireworks from Avon Pier on Sunday, July 4 after dark.

Hyde County mainland will offer a fireworks display at Chris’s Grocery in Swan Quarter at 9 p.m. on Sunday, July 4.

Currituck will offer an Independence Day Celebration at Historic Corolla Park on Monday, July 5 starting at 5 p.m. with Mark Lippard entertaining the crowds, a watermelon contest, cornhole tournament and a kid’s dance contest. The fireworks show will begin shortly after sundown. Visitors can purchase dinner or snacks from the following food trucks: Fork’et Me Not, McGrath’s Burger Shack, On The Spot Creamery, Tull’s Creek Concession, and OBX Popcorn Shoppe. Dogs are permitted on leashes. No coolers, alcohol or on-street parking will be permitted. The Historic Corolla Park boat ramp will be closed on July 5 and no docking will be allowed.

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