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:
Tuesday, July 2
7 pm Pre-fireworks gathering: Ocracoke Island deejay Tommy Hutcherson will spin dance tunes and patriotic songs at the NPS docks.
9:15 pm: Fireworks by Pyrotecnico will be launched from the National Park Service parking area at the southern end of the island. The NPS parking lot will be closed starting at 5 pm July 1 for display setup.
Wednesday, July 3
3 to 6 pm. Fundraising Fish Fry for the OPS. Island Inn Commons, 3-6 pm. $15 per plate.
7 to 8:30 pm Old fashioned Ocracoke Square Dance in the Berkley Barn with Molasses Creek. Charge at the door: $5 for adults 13 and over.
Thursday, July 4
9:30 am – Noon: 44th Annual Sand Sculpture Contest at the NPS Lifeguard Beach.
10 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 to 4:30pm:Ocracoke Lighthouse open for viewing the inside. No climbing.
4 pm: Independence Day Parade. Theme: Olde Tyme Ocracoke
All are welcome to enter the parade to vie for Best Walk & Roll, Best Wheels, Best Float, Best Theme and Best in Show. No political themes/messages allowed.
Sign up starts at 2:30 at Old Beach Road and Irvin Garrish Hwy. Line-up also starts there at 3:30 p.m. Parade ends at NPS parking lot.
5:30 pm Awards presentation for Parade & Sculpture Contest winners; Books to Be Red stage. BYO seating. Featuring Dallas Mason playing the national anthem.
6 pm: Fundraising cookout at the United Methodist Church
7 to 10 pm: Community Beach Fire under the Stars at the Ocracoke Day Use Area/NPS Lifeguard Beach. BYO beach blankets, chairs, marshmallows, and roasting sticks.
Independence Day activities are sponsored by the Ocracoke Occupancy Tax Board,
Hyde County and produced by the Ocracoke Civic & Business Association.
