Ocracoke Island’s Independence Day activities this year will be held over three days, from July 2 to 4.
The following is the schedule of activities:
Sunday, July 2
6:30 pm: Pre-fireworks gathering: Ocracoke Island deejay with Tommy Hutcherson will spin dance tunes and patriotic songs at the NPS docks.
9:15 pm: Fireworks will be launched from the large National Park Service parking area at the southern end of the island. Hyde County sponsors the show in conjunction with the National Park Service. The NPS parking lot will be closed all day July 2 while the fireworks company sets up.
Monday, July 3
Book signing and fig cake sale Kelley Shinn’s “The Wounds That Bind Us” and Trudy Austin’s fig cake. 1 to 4 p.m. at Books to Be Red.
Fund raising Fish Fry at the Community Center to benefit the Island Inn Commons landscaping project. 4 pm until sold out. $15 per plate; $5 for desserts.
6:30-8:30 p.m. Old fashioned Ocracoke square dance in the Berkley Barn with Molasses Creek. $5 for those 13 and over.
Tuesday, July 4:
9:30 am–Noon: Sand Sculpture Contest for all ages at the NPS Lifeguard Beach. Sign-up starts at 8:30 am.
10:30 am to 12:30 pm Ocracoke Lighthouse open for viewing. No climbing. Islander Chester Lynn will be on hand to talk about the lighthouse.
3 to 5 pm: Ocracoke Pool Association sells fundraising T-shirts in the Ocracoke Lightship Realty parking lot, 3 to 5 pm.
4 pm: Old Time Independence Day Parade. Theme: The 200th anniversary of the Ocracoke lighthouse. Awards for best in show, walk & roll, wheels, float and best theme. Sign-up starts at 3 pm across from Wheelie Fun Golf Carts, Irvin Garrish Hwy. & Old Beach Road. Parade starts at 4 pm at Wheelie Fun; ends at NPS parking lot.
The Hyde County Sheriff’s Department admonishes spectators not to throw water of any kind at the parade members.
5:30 pm: Singing of national anthem & awards presentation for parade & sculpture contest winners; Books to Be Red stage. BYO seating.
7 to 10 pm:Community Beach Fire under the stars at NPS Lifeguard Beach. BYO chairs. You are welcome to bring marshmallows to roast. Please pack in and Pack out.
Independence Day activities are sponsored by the Ocracoke Occupancy Tax Board, Hyde County and the Ocracoke Civic & Business Association.
