The organizers of Ocracoke’s Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree are disappointed to announce that this year’s event must be cancelled. Although Ocracoke fared well in Hurricane Matthew compared to other parts of the state, the island did experience a record high tide during the peak of the storm. Cleanup efforts are underway, but due to significant water damage at some island homes and businesses, and a long evacuation, the organizers missed a critical week of planning. At this point, there’s not enough recovery time to present the amazing piratical event that we’ve all come to expect and enjoy. Arrrgh! The committee has decided to cancel the 2016 Jamboree, and plan for better weather in 2017.
Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree is an annual event, held the last weekend in October, leading to the 300th anniversary of Blackbeard’s demise in 2018. Join us for the Jamboree October 27-29, 2017 and October 26-28, 2018.
October 28-30, 2016 will still be Halloween weekend on an enchanted island that loves to dress up and have a good time. Kick off the festivities on Friday with the Firkin (old-fashioned beer barrel) tapping at 2pm at Zillie’s Island Pantry. All are welcome to the Ocracoke School Halloween Carnival on Friday afternoon/evening, which is a fun family-friendly event including a kids’ costume parade, bouncy houses, carnival games, food sales, a cake walk, and Quiz-O. On Saturday afternoon, 4-6pm, the Community Square will welcome little beggars for a special Trick-or-Treat around the Square shops. Gaffer’s Sports Pub will host their annual Halloween party with live music and a costume contest with a Famous Horror Movie Monster theme, and everyone’s favorite 80’s cover band, Raygun Ruby, will play at the Howard’s Pub for their costume party. Both Halloween celebrations are on Saturday night – revelers walk back and forth to check out each other’s costumes at each venue. Pirates and wenches are welcome, of course!
Mark your calendars for Ocracoke’s other fall/winter events: the first annual Festival Latino de Ocracoke, celebrating Ocracoke’s Latino community with food, music, and dance on November 12th; Thanksgiving weekend with live music, great shopping, and a holiday boat parade; the OPS Holiday Home Tour on December 3rd; and the Working Watermen’s Annual Oyster Roast on December 30th.
Ocracoke is especially beautiful in October and November and we encourage visitors to enjoy the “less is more” atmosphere of fall on the sandbar. Fall is a time for great fishing and shelling and strolling at the beach, and, while most businesses remain open through Thanksgiving weekend, even the village offers a quiet refuge from the busy-ness of the mainland.
For more information, contact 252-928-6711 or email info@ocracokevillage.com