Friday, Oct. 14, 2016
The organizers of Ocracoke’s Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree are disappointed to announce that this year’s event (scheduled for Oct. 28 to 30) 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 Oct. 27 to 29, 2017, and Oct. 26 to 28, 2018. 
October 28 to 30 this year will still be Halloween weekend on an enchanted island that loves to dress up and have a good time.
Kick off the festivities at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, with the “Freakin’ Firkin (old-fashioned beer barrel) Keg Tapping at Zillie’s Island Pantry. Two cask-conditioned ales will be tapped and all are welcome to join in.
All are welcome to the Ocracoke School Halloween Carnival on Friday afternoon/evening (Oct.. 28), 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 (Oct. 29), from 4 to 6 p.m., 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 island favorite 80s cover band, Raygun Ruby, will play at 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.
Mark your calendars for Ocracoke’s other fall/winter events:
Palm readings by “Zelda the Gypsy,” 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at Roxys Antiques on Ocracoke, 585 Irvin Garrish Hwy., in Spencer ‘s Market next to Blue Heron Realty. (252) 588-0058. $5 Per Reading. All proceeds benefit Ocracats. Wine & cheese reception; door prizes; free cat ears first 20 guests; gypsy music.
The first annual “Festival Latino de Ocracoke,” celebrating Ocracoke’s Latino community with food, music and dance on Nov. 12; Thanksgiving weekend with live music, great shopping, and a holiday boat parade; the OPS Holiday Home Tour on Dec. 3; and the Working Watermen’s Annual Oyster Roast on Dec. 30–all-you-can eat steamed oysters for one price.
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, visit http://ocracokevillage.com, or email info@ocracokevillage.com
