Current Events August 19-25
Ocracoke school starts on August 26th, and our college kids are already gone for fall semester. Where did the summer go?
We're winding down and getting closer to Labor Day weekend! Make your plans now to visit for Ocracoke's first-ever Seafood Festival, which will be a fundraiser for the island's only clinic, Ocracoke Health Center.
Until Labor Day, National Park Service offers several free programs each week for all ages, including opening the lighthouse. Lifeguards are on duty 9-5, seven days a week at the lifeguard beach (a.k.a. Day Use Area).
It's going to be a busy week on Ocracoke and we're all happy you're here. Here's some helpful tips:
- Walk facing traffic; bike with traffic.
- If you have to drive, do it slowly. Relax! You're on vacation and we're all going to get where we're going...
- You have to be 16 to drive a golf cart. Don't let your 15-and-under kids drive golf carts. Seriously.
- Don't cross the yellow line to pass golf carts. They count as real vehicles; slow down and stay behind them.
- Learn about rip currents, and be careful at the beach. The lifeguard beach is the safest place to swim.
- For current beach access information and the weekly mileage summary, go to http://go.nps.gov/beachaccess.
- For field summary, visit:http://go.nps.gov/fieldsummary.
- Mileage and field summaries are updated every Thursday during the shorebird and sea turtle nesting seasons.
- Visitors can sign up for beach safety text messages by texting “Join OBXBeachConditions” to 30890.
Check out the Ocracoke Current calendar for more events and information! We post updates on our Facebook page, too!
Monday, August 19th:
9:30am: Ocracoke Lighthouse is open! You can go in, but not up! You know you want to see inside... 9:30-11am.
1pm: Ocracoke Pirates NPS Program @ Ocracoke Visitor Center. Learn about Blackbeard and other pirates with a park ranger.
3pm: Barrier Island Nature NPS Program @ Ocracoke Visitor Center. Join a park ranger for a talk about the wild side of the park.
7pm: Open Mic @ Dajio Every Monday night all summer long!
8:45pm: Night Sky NPS Program @ Lifeguard Beach Ocracoke After Dark! Enjoy and evening of stars and stories on the beach!
Tuesday, August 20th:
10:30am: All About Turtles! NPS Program @ Ocracoke Visitor Center. This activity especially for seashore kids and families.
2:30pm: Ocracoke History NPS Program @ Ocracoke Visitor Center. Join a park ranger to learn about the island’s rich past.
8pm: Live Music! @ Coyote Music Den: Coyote Plus One "Well-Crafted Spontaneity" - Marcy & Lou with a different special guest every Tuesday at 8pm (doors at 7:30). A fun, heart-felt evening of live music in a magical setting. This week's guest is Jay Turner.
Tickets: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/profile/1040249 Watch from wherever you are for $1 - www.concertwindow.com/coyote
9pm: Karaoke @ Ocracoke Oyster Co. You know you want to sing!
Wednesday, August 21st:
9am: NPS Banker Ponies Program @ Pony Pens. Meet the ponies unique to Ocracoke! Bring bug spray!
10:30am: All About Turtles! NPS Program @ Ocracoke Visitor Center. This activity especially for seashore kids and families.
1:30pm: Lighthouse Open! You can go in, but not up! You know you want to see inside... 1:30-3:30pm.
2:30pm: Ocracoke Pirates NPS Program @ Ocracoke Visitor Center. Learn about Blackbeard and other pirates with a park ranger.
4:30pm: Crystal Canterbury Art Opening @ Downcreek Gallery. This month's feature artist is the Current's own favorite photographer Crystal Canterbury! Stop by between 4:30-7:30pm to meet Crystal, see her new photos, and enjoy some snacks and drinks! Expose yourself to art!
8pm: Live Music! Barefoot Wade @ Dajio
8pm: Season 2: Dingbatters (all new comedy) Guide to Ocracoke @ Deepwater Theater Back for a brand new season with all new Comedy-Skits, this critically acclaimed show is the ultimate guide for Ocracoke visitors (and residents) of all ages! Doors open @ 7:30pm. Admission: $20 adults; $10 children.
Thursday, August 22nd:
9am: NPS Banker Ponies Program @ Pony Pens. Meet the ponies unique to Ocracoke! Bring bug spray!
11am: Preschool Story Time & Craft @ Ocracoke Library: Story Time with Ms. Juju! All ages welcome; this activity is geared toward the littlest library patrons, age 0-5. FREE!
1:30pm: Lighthouse Open! You can go in, but not up! You know you want to see inside... 1:30-3pm.
2:30pm: Ocracoke History NPS Program @ Ocracoke Visitor Center. Join a park ranger to learn about the island’s rich past.
6pm: Wine Tasting @ Zillie's 6pm: Wine tasting at Zillie's Island Pantry! Wine tastings take place every Thursday @ 6pm, and pair five great wines with delicious hors d'oeuvres from the pantry. Space is limited, so make a reservation, and sign up at zillies.com.
8pm: Live Music! Raygun Ruby @ Dajio, 8–11pm. Everyone's favorite 80's cover band!
8pm: Live Music! Molasses Creek @ Deepwater Theater. Every Thursday night all summer! Doors open @ 7:30pm. For 26 years, Molasses Creek's high-energy performances and heartfelt songwriting has brought the love of their coastal home to the stage. The band's elegant harmonies and arrangements, stellar songwriting, blazing instrumentals, and quirky sense of humor have won loyal followers throughout the United States and around the world.
Friday, August 23rd:
8:30am: Birds & Beaches NPS Walk @ Campground beach parking lot. Join a ranger for an island exploration. Fun for all ages! (90 minutes). Bring bug spray.
9:30am: Ocracoke Lighthouse is open! You can go in, but not up! You know you want to see inside... 9:30-11am.
2:30pm: All About Turtles! NPS Program @ Ocracoke Visitor Center. This activity especially for seashore kids and families.
6pm: Wine Tasting @ Zillie's 6pm: Wine tasting at Zillie's Island Pantry! Wine tastings pair five great wines with delicious hors d'oeuvres from the pantry. Space is limited, so make a reservation, and sign up at zillies.com.
8pm: Live Music! Jon Lea @ Dajio
8pm: Live Music! @ Coyote Music Den Friday nights through October 25th, Fridays at the Den will be Marcy & Lou "In Concert" with a special guest (or not) at 8pm (doors at 7:30). A fun, heart-felt evening of live music in a magical setting.
Tickets: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/profile/1040249 Watch from wherever you are for $1 - www.concertwindow.com/coyote
Saturday, August 24th:
8pm: Live Music! Thirty3 @ Ocracoke Oyster Co.
8pm: Live Music! Kate McNally @ Dajio
Sunday, August 25th:
Services @ both churches: Ocracoke United Methodist (Sunday School 10am; service at 11am) and Ocracoke Assembly of God (Sunday School 10am, services at 11am and 6pm; also Wednesday night service at 7pm).
Looking ahead....
Check out the Ocracoke Current calendar for more events and information! We post updates on Facebook, too!
Send info about any events we may have missed to ocracokecurrent@gmail.com.
This story will be updated as needed with more information, so check back!
