The Ocracoke fireworks have been canceled due the threat of thunderstorms and high winds forecast for July 2.
According to both Hyde and Dare County fire marshals, a specific forecast for Ocracoke gives a 90% chance of thunderstorms and high winds Wednesday (July 2) into Thursday.
“For the safety of our residents and visitors of Ocracoke, we made the decision to cancel the fireworks show,” said Albert O’Neal, Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department (OVFD) chief. “It’s disappointing, but we feel that given the high probability of a storm, this was the best option.”
The decision to cancel was made after a meeting among staff of the National Park Service, the OVFD, the Ocracoke Civic & Business Association and Hyde County.
The pre-fireworks music also is canceled.
A decision has not yet been made to reschedule the fireworks later this year.
Dare County Fire Marshal Steve Kovacs shared the Ocracoke specific forecast, which says an approaching front is expected to stall across eastern N.C. on Wednesday with showers and thunderstorms likely, with heavy rain and strong wind gusts greater than 40 mph are possible.
The rest of the July 4 activities will continue as planned. Other Ocracoke activities can be found here.
Thursday, July 3
4 pm. Fundraising Fish Fry for the OPS. Island Inn Commons, 4 pm.
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.
Friday, 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. (No theme this year)
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 3 p.m. 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 at Books to Be Red yard.
6 pm: Fundraising cookout at the Ocracoke 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.
Stay tuned to Hyde County Public Information and OCBA Facebook pages for further updates.
Correct me if I am wrong but the fireworks have already been budgeted from the lodging fund and nothing additional would have to be allocated. What a great send off to the season to give the local merchants, lodging/restaurants, a great send off. We stay with Betty in the spring and fall and would love a great display. That would be a great, end of season regular celebration. I am a retired business person of 48 years. Don Jackson 757.621.6332. Incase you wanted to talk.
A lot of logistics and coordination are needed to get fireworks to Ocracoke.
We came down from Virginia Beach last year and witnessed the best fireworks EVER..and I am 81. Between the skeeters and heat and wall to wall tourists we did not come this year. I have an idea. Why don’t you have the fireworks for the Blackbeard celebration. It may bolster the crowd and be a shot in the arm to the merchants at the end of the season. We will be staying with Betty at the captains landing for 3 days and would love to see the best fireworks 🎇 display on the east coast. Just an idea
This company does a great job and that’s a thought, Don, and there is an extra expense of rebooking the fireworks.
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