Communities offer Independence Day celebration events

Published 9:19 am Tuesday, July 4, 2023

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This year, there are so many opportunities to celebrate our nation’s independence. Watch a parade in Duck, bake an award-winning apple pie in Manteo, attend a community campfire in Ocracoke, or choose from six different locations for a dazzling fireworks display. Happy Fourth of July!

Currituck

Currituck’s annual Independence Day Celebration kicks off at 5 p.m. on July 4th at Historic Corolla park with family friendly activities and live music. Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be available to purchase from local vendors. No coolers, alcohol or on-street parking are allowed. The Historic Corolla Park boat ramp will be closed and docking will not be allowed. Dogs are permitted on leashes. The fireworks show begins at dark.

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Duck

Arrive early to reserve your spot along the route of the annual 4th of July parade. The one-mile route begins at the crest of the hill on Scarborough Lane, travels east towards the ocean, turns left onto Ocean Way, and then continues onto Christopher Drive to end at Pamela Court. No part of the parade takes place on Duck Road.

The parade begins at 9 a.m., followed by a Community Celebration at the Duck Town Park. Enjoy live music and cold refreshments, including watermelon provided by Green Acres Farm market, and the awarding of parade trophies.

Kill Devil Hills

The annual Independence Day fireworks event is set for July 4 (with a rain date of July 5) at Avalon Pier, located at 2111 North Virginia Dare Trail, milepost 6. The fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. Set up beach chairs at one of the town’s many beach accesses to watch the show. The event will be livestreamed on the town’s YouTube and Facebook pages: @townofkdh. The fireworks display is made possible in part by The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau.

Nags Head

The Town of Nags Head presents the annual Fireworks Spectacular on July 4 at 9:25 p.m. at Nags Head Fishing Pier, located at 3334 S. Virginia Dare Trail, milepost 11.5, with a rain date of July 5. The display will last approximately 25 minutes.

Parking east of U.S. Highway 158/South Croatan Highway is encouraged. Use caution while crossing the highway if parking west of U.S. Highway 158/South Croatan Highway.

Vehicles blocking driveways or presenting a traffic hazard before, during or immediately following this event will be towed. Use public beach accesses to access the oceanfront.

South of Nags Head Fishing Pier, recommended beach accesses to view fireworks are Curlew Street, Hollowell Street and Conch Street. North of Nags Head Fishing Pier, recommended beach accesses to view fireworks are Bladen Street, Bittern Street, Bonnett Street and Blackman Street.

The fireworks display is hosted in conjunction with the Nags Head Fishing Pier and the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau.

Manteo

Downtown Manteo has a full schedule of events for the Fourth of July, beginning at 3 p.m. in front of the Dare Arts building (the old courthouse) with a welcome and the singing of the National Anthem, followed by kid’s games and activities, and decorated bike/scooter/wagon contest and parade.

Drop off your homemade apple pie to the courthouse stage between 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. for the baking contest.

Enjoy a Where’s Waldo contest and a watermelon eating contest. Food is available from local restaurants and food trucks. The festivities continue with performances at Roanoke Island Festival ParkAppalachian Road Show performs from 5:45 – 7:15 p.m. followed by The Whiskey Rebellion from 7:45 – 9:15 p.m.

Fireworks begin at dark.

Events and contests sponsored in part by the Town of Manteo, the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, Roanoke Island Festival Park, NC Extension and Dare County 4-H Clubs.

Avon

Visit the Avon Pier and Avon Beach Klub on Hatteras Island for a 4th of July Celebration featuring events including corresponding ration shows on Radio Hatteras FM 101.5 and 99.9 and a fantastic fireworks display at 9:15 p.m.

Ocracoke

Tuesday’s events start at 9:30 a.m. with the 43th Annual Sand Sculpture Contest at the NPS Lifeguard Beach. The Ocracoke Lighthouse will be open for viewing from 10:30-12:30 p.m. (no climbing). The Old Time Independence Day Parade begins at 4 p.m. at Old Beach Road with the theme “The 200th Anniversary of the Ocracoke Light Station.” All are welcome to enter the parade and compete for Best Walk & Roll, Best Wheels, Best Float, Best Theme, and Best in Show. Entry forms available at the post office. Sign-up starts at 2:30. The parade ends at NPS docks.

The singing of the National Anthem and the awards presentation for Parade & Sculpture Contest winners starts at 5:30 p.m. at Books to Be Red stage. Bring your own seating.

From 7-10 p.m. the weekend wraps up at a community beach campfire under the stars at the Ocracoke Day Use Area/NPS Lifeguard Beach. Bring beach blankets, chairs, marshmallows and roasting sticks.

Swan Quarter

Fireworks will start shortly after 9 p.m. on July 4th at Chris’s Grocery Store parking lot, located at 13221 US 264 in Swan Quarter. The Swan Quarter Volunteer Fire Department will be set up at that location from 5-9 p.m., selling hot dogs, funnel cakes and beverages.

“Come early to eat and then stay and watch the beautiful fireworks show which begins at 9 pm,” invited the fire department. “The show is provided by Hy-Co Pyrotechnics and made possible by community support!”

Personal Fireworks

All fireworks are illegal in Duck, Southern Shores, Nags Head, Manteo and Hatteras Island. In Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, unincorporated areas of Roanoke Island and the Dare County mainland, only “safe and sane” fireworks like sparklers and fountains are allowed.

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