This year, the Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department celebrates 50 years of serving the community.
In 1966, Sam Jones provided Ocracoke’s first fire engine, and with the help of Stanley Wahab, the original two-story firehouse on Back Road was built.
Apart from a $17,000 allocation from the Hyde County Government, the OVFD, has no guaranteed source of income (such as a fire tax). Its main source of funding for operating expenses such as mortgage, insurance, equipment and utilities, etc., is from fundraising efforts and some support from Occupancy Tax.
The annual Firemen’s Ball in the Community Center is the largest event of the year for this need.
Last year it raised $63,000. The Firemen’s Ball started years ago when a couple of talented musicians who love Ocracoke gathered to play music on Memorial Day weekend and raise some money for a good cause. Since then, the original group (The Dune Dogs) out of Raleigh, with the help of local band The Ocracoke Rockers, have come together every year to make this fundraiser a huge success.
The event this year on Saturday, May 28, begins with a pig pickin’ dinner at 5 p.m., followed by a silent and live auction.
Musical entertainment by The Ocracoke Rockers, The Dune Dogs and The Aaron Caswell Band will conclude the night.
Cash and in-kind sponsors are always welcome.
For sponsor information, contact Larry or Stephanie Ihle (252) 928-8074/928-7001.
All donations are tax deductible.
Please write all sponsorship checks to the OFPA (with memo as 2016 Fireman’s Ball), P.O. Box 332, Ocracoke, NC 27960.
Schedule of events:
5 p.m. pig pickin’ barbeque
5 to 6:30 p.m. Silent Auction
7 p.m.—Live Auction
Music and dancing until midnight, featuring The Ocracoke Rockers, The Dune Dogs and The Aaron Caswell Band
The Ocracoke School of Performing Arts Spring Showcase
will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in a festival-style, “All the Island’s a Stage” recital showcase of what the students have been working on since March.
Tentative Schedule (In the event of rain, this will to the school gym):
10 a.m.: Gather at 120 Howard Street
*Food and activities here 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: games, face-painting, bubbles, snacks
10:30 a.m.: Singing at The Coyote Den in Community Square
11 a.m.: “Peggy the Pintsized Pirate” aboard the Skipjack Wilma Lee
11:45 a.m.: Singing at 120 Howard Street
12:15 p.m.: Singing and dance at Books To Be Red’s Live Oak Stage
12:50 p.m.: Raffle winner announcement and finale
PARKING: Ocracoke United Methodist Church onSchool Rd.
