Visitors and islanders are invited to enjoy two days of celebrating island figs Aug 12 and 13 in Community Square.
All are invited to test their baking skills in making traditional or innovative fig cakes for Ocracoke’s Fig Cake Bake-Off Friday Aug. 12 in historic Community Square.
“Traditional” means adhering to the old Ocracoke recipe of fig preserves, eggs, flour, sweetener, spices. Island-made fig preserves can be purchased all over the island.
For “Innovative” cakes, anything goes as long as figs are included.
Uncut cakes for the contest must be brought to Community Square between 2 and 3 p.m. Friday. Judging will be at 4 p.m. with samples for all afterwards.
Vendors will be in the square both days.
A square dance will end the day Friday from 6 to 8 p.m., and the event concludes Saturday with a dance party featuring three bands.
Several island restaurants to be determined will feature special fig dishes.
The event is sponsored by Ocracoke Civic and Business Association, Inc.
For details and to view the traditional recipe, visit the Fig Festival event page here on ocracokevillage.com.
Fig Festival Schedule of events
Friday, Aug. 12:
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Booths of local vendors selling fig preserves, fig trees, cookbooks and all things fig-tastic.
Face painting and other fun activities for the kids.
2 p.m.: Ocracoke Figs: Presentation by local expert Chester Lynn–with fresh figs to taste.
3 p.m.: Fig Cake Bake-off entries on display
Judging begins at 4 p.m. and will be broadcast live on WOVV 90.1FM (wovv.org) with Daphne Bennink.
Free samples for everyone after the judging.
6 p.m.: Fig Cake Bake-Off awards and announcements
6 to 8 p.m.: Traditional Ocracoke Square Dance with caller Philip Howard and live music by Molasses Creek
Saturday, Aug. 13
1 to 5 p.m.: Booth and food vendors in the Community Square
6 to 10 p.m.: Dance Party in the Community Square with Ocracoke Rockers, Lightning Lou & the Blackouts and Raygun Ruby.
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