The free Ocracoke Village Tram runs from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily to Sept. 15 and stops at 10 places in the village. Photo: C. Leinbach/Ocracoke Observer
Editor’s note: Events are updated as needed.
Monday, July 7 Ocracoke Community Library: Used Book Sale continues during public hours: M-F, 3-7 pm; Saturday 9 am to 1 pm.
Hyde County Commissioners meeting, 6 pm. Community Center. See agenda below. Pre-meeting reception in Hyde County Government Center.
Ocracoke Oyster Company: Bryan Mayer, 7:30 pm
Tuesday, July 8 Ocracoke Preservation Society Porch Talks: The Lost Colony, Scott Dawson, 1 pm. Postponed.
MiniBar at Ocracoke Coffee: Family game night, 6-8 pm
1718 Brewing Ocracoke: Raygun Ruby, 7 pm
Ocracoke Oyster Company: Bryan Mayer, 7:30 pm
Wednesday, July 9 Ocracoke Community Library: Baby, toddler & preschool story time,10 am.
Community Market, Pony Island Inn lawn, 3-7 pm
MiniBar at Ocracoke Coffee: Island Trivia, 6-8 pm (Corrected)
Deepwater Theater: Ocrafolk Opry, 8 pm
DAJIO: Ray Murray, 8 pm
Thursday, July 10 OPS Porch Talk: Sea Turtles, 1 pm
Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department meeting, New volunteers always welcome. 822 Irvin Garrish Hwy 6 pm.
MiniBar at Ocracoke Coffee: Brooke & Nick, 6-8 pm.
Ocracoke Oyster Company: Caldwell Grey, 7:30 pm
Friday, July 11 What’s Happening on Ocracoke: Guest: Brook Cox, director of Hyde County Emergency Medical Services, 11:30 am, 90.1FM on the island and online at wovv.org.
MiniBar at Ocracoke Coffee: Kate McNally, 6-8 pm
1718 Brewing Ocracoke: Ray McAllister Band, 7 pm
DAJIO: Noah Austin, 8 pm
Ocracoke Oyster Company: Raygun Ruby, 8 pm
Saturday, July 12 MiniBar at Ocracoke Coffee: artist TBD, 6 pm
DAJIO: After School Surf Club, 8 pm
1718 Brewing Ocracoke: Raygun Ruby, 7 pm
Sunday, July 13 Church services: Ocracoke United Methodist Church, 11 am Ocracoke Life Saving Church, 11 am Stella Maris Chapel: Sunday afternoon Mass time varies. Go to Masstimes.org and type in the zip code 27960. 1718 Brewing Ocracoke: Open mic, 7 pm Ocracoke Oyster Company: Ramblin’ Dan Stevens, 7:30 pm
National Park Service programs: The following free programs run from June 16 to Aug. 28. Banker Ponies at the Ocracoke Pony Pen: Every Monday and Wednesday, 8:30 am — 9 am Ocracoke Lighthouse: Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 11 am — 11:30 am Life on a Barrier Island: Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 2 to 2:30 pm. Outside the Discovery Center. MorningBird Walk: Every Tuesday from 8:30 to 9:30 am. Meet at NPS campground parking lot.
The All-Star Jam finale of the 2025 Ocrafolk Festival. Photo: P. Vankevich/Ocracoke Observer
By Connie Leinbach
Every year the Ocrafolk Music & Storytelling Festival aims to bring some new artists as well as many musicians who return each year.
The 25th anniversary of this event delivered, and Executive Director Dave Tweedie, who also is the fiddler for Molasses Creek, was happy with the music and the thousand-plus who attended the event on the Berkley Manor grounds the first weekend in June.
The Saturday night square dance in the Berkley Barn. Photo: C. Leinbach/Ocracoke Observer
Festival goers soundly praised the performers, a continuous refrain each year.
Many of the festival musicians are adept on more than one instrument, such as Josh Goforth, who is prodigious on the fiddle, guitar and the mandolin, “which blows you away,” said Lee Shaffer of Chocowinity.
But the camaraderie among the musicians was evident.
“They’re not just good,” Shaffer said. “They’re really, really good. There’s so much talent, and they’re not competing with each other. They’re friends with each other and go to see each other play.”
Saltare Sounds brings classical music to Ocracoke. Photo: C. Leinbach/Ocracoke Observer
Ed Stewart of Chesapeake, Virginia, saw this as he and his wife Allison, who have a house on the island, hosted two of the musicians and attended many of the concerts.
“The Saltare [Sound] kids were all over the place,” he said. “Friday night in the barn dancing to the Ocracoke Rockers; then they joined in with Beleza at 1718. The clarinetist [Louis Arques] was watching over Berto’s [Beleza] shoulder and then picked up the music. Then they were doing the hula hoops at the kids’ area at the festival.”
Luca Kevorkian of New York City, a violinist who organizes the group of classically trained musicians and has performed here for the last three years said the festival gets better every year.
“It’s the warmest reception I’ve ever received,” he said. “It’s incredible.”
Another Saltare member, violinist Elijah Wilson of NYC, also praised the warm reception for his “fiddle” playing.
And the difference between a violin and a fiddle?
Storyteller Donna Washington. Photo: P. Vankevich/Ocracoke Observer
“Gary says the fiddle has beer stains on it,” Wilson said about Gary Mitchell, who with his contemporary folk band Molasses Creek founded the festival in 2000.
Also getting high marks were storytellers Donald Davis and Donna Washington. This was her first time performing at Ocrafolk. Two of her amusing stories were how she tricked some young school children in order to get interested in reading and a ghost on the Outer Banks.
Mitchell would love to see more islanders attend because, “it’s a big commitment to go off island for a music festival,” he said.
Tweedie concurred, noting the logistics involved to go off island.
So, in starting an island festival, “we thought it would be good to bring high level talent here,” Mitchell said.
Many of the musicians who have performed here over the last 25 years are world-class.
Steve Lewis, the banjo player with the Jeff Little Trio, is the two-time national flat-picking guitar champion and a national banjo-playing champion.
Band leader Jeff plays the piano. Though not a typical bluegrass instrument, Little’s virtuosity on the piano is an exception.
“He was a sideman for Doc Watson,” Mitchell said. “And you don’t get anyone better playing that kind of music.”
One of the new groups, the Foreign Landers brought a delicate, Celtic-influenced sound, he said.
Then there was the Sam Fribush Organ Trio of Greensboro, who played Saturday night on the Golden Stage.
They brought a new sound of funk-rock-jazz to the festival.
“We like to have something rousing on Saturday night,” Mitchell said.
The tone softened early Sunday morning. It began with quiet, peaceful Yoga sessions by Desiree Adams and Lipbone Redding and classical music and meditation with Saltare Sounds.
Following was the traditional Gospel Sing and Songs that Matter, led by Gary Mitchell and which included discussions of how the songs performed by Reggie Harris, Jeanne and Bob Zentz, Mitchell and Louis Allen relate to our culture today.
Jeanne McDougal Zentz and Bob Zentz. Photo: P. Vankevich/Ocracoke Observer
The staff of WOVV, Ocracoke’s community radio station, interviewed several of the performers in a live broadcast. These podcasts are on the station’s website wovv.org.
The Sunday afternoon coda, the All-star Jam, which brings many of the performers on stage to jam, was cut a bit short when a thunderstorm stuck the island.
The Sam Fribush Trio brings funk, blues and jazz to the festival. Photo: C. Leinbach/Ocracoke Observer
Making bubble with Jef the Mime. Photo: C. Leinbach/Ocracoke Observer
Recent Ocracoke School grad Mira Barnes creates a painting during the festival. Photo: C. Leinbach/Ocracoke Observer
The Paperhand Puppet parade. Photo: C. Leinbach/Ocracoke Observer
The Ocracoke Rockers are among the local musicians on the festival bill. Photo: C. Leinbach/Ocracoke Observer
Sunday morning meditation and Yoga Nidra with Saltare Sounds and Lipbone Redding. Photo: P. Vankevich/Ocracoke Observer
As of Saturday morning, the cyclone off the southeastern coast remains identified as Tropical Depression Three. It has begun slow movement north-northwest towards the Carolinas.
The forecast anticipates that the system will strengthen into a weak tropical storm, impacting the region from Saturday night through Monday.
However, torrential downpours could begin as early as Saturday afternoon, with forecast totals increasing from yesterday to 1 to 3 inches, and isolated areas possibly receiving over 4 inches. This could lead to localized flash flooding.
The probability of experiencing tropical storm-force winds has slightly increased from Friday but remains low. Winds will be at least up to 20 mph on occasion on Sunday. If the winds pick up, they will most likely occur beginning late Sunday afternoon and evening.
An elevated rip current risk is also expected to persist for area beaches into early next week.
In a sweeping three-year study mandated by the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Collaboratory has released its long-anticipated findings on the state’s coastal and marine fisheries.
While the report was intended to be a neutral and science-driven evaluation of fish populations and habitats, it has also become a flashpoint in the debate over House Bill 442, a controversial legislative proposal that aimed to restrict shrimp trawling in state waters.
The study’s results, particularly concerning shrimp and southern flounder, offer new data on fishery health but stop short of endorsing any policy like the now-dormant HB 442.
“Multiple comments by legislators in both chambers of the North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA), as well as statements circulating in the media, suggested the Senate was aware of the contents of this report and this advance knowledge drove actions to amend the legislation to include a shrimp trawling ban prior to the report’s release,” stated Collaboratory Executive Director Dr. Jeffrey Warren in a letter attached to the study.
“These statements remain untrue and undermine the credibility of this multi-year research study carried out by nine researchers across four UNC System campuses.”
A study three years in the making The Legislative Study of Coastal and Marine Fisheries, launched in 2022, was initiated in recognition of two key anniversaries in coastal policy: the 25th anniversary of the state’s Fisheries Reform Act of 1997 and the 50th anniversary of the Coastal Area Management Act of 1974. With $1 million in state funding, the North Carolina Collaboratory brought together researchers from UNC-Chapel Hill, East Carolina University, NC State University, and UNC-Wilmington.
Their directive was to assess the long-term viability of 13 critical marine species — including shrimp — and evaluate the habitat and policy structures that support them. The report was submitted to the legislature on June 30, 2025, along with a transmittal letter and a promise of a more extensive implementation report by year’s end.
Shrimp According to the Collaboratory’s findings, brown shrimp abundance has increased over recent decades, with particularly strong catch rates reported inside Primary Nursery Areas (PNAs) — state-designated habitat zones meant to protect juvenile marine species.
The report also notes that North Carolina’s shrimp fishery is among the most heavily regulated in the Southeast, with restrictions on gear, seasons, and fishing areas already in place. Yet the study stops short of evaluating the effects of shrimp trawling gear on non-target species or habitat degradation, stating explicitly that the issue was outside the scope of the research.
Southern Flounder Of the species studied, southern flounder was flagged as one of the most imperiled. The fish is classified as both overfished (population size is too low) and experiencing overfishing (harvest rate is too high), based on the most recent stock assessments, which occurred around 2019.
The report also examined flounder presence in PNAs, finding that while juvenile flounder are slightly more abundant and overall catch rates are low and declining in these protected areas.
Commercial vs. Recreational Fishing While the shrimp findings formed the most high-profile element of the study’s public reception, the report also captures the broader complexity of managing North Carolina’s coastal resources — particularly when it comes to balancing commercial and recreational interests.
“Viewed holistically, the data reveal a significant shift in the entire socio-ecological system of NC over the last ~30 years and since the passing of the FRA in 1997,” reads the report.
“Of 132 indices eligible for formal statistical analyses based on data structure and longevity, 51% of these indices manifest statistically significant changes over decadal scales, including most notably: increases in human population density and development along the NC coast; decreases in Phosphorus loading and increases in Nitrogen loading (after normalizing for flow); increases in total (not just economically prized) finfish and penaeid shrimp abundance, but decreases in abundance of nekton in shallow estuarine habitat; increases in coastal river and air temperatures; and a rate of sea-level rise higher than the global average.
“Coincident with these shifts, the commercial fishing sector had exhibited declines in number of licenses, registered vessels, participants, trips, and landings since the passing of the FRA, while increasing trends were observed for recreational fishing participation as indicated by the increase in number of licenses and trips over this same period. Both commercial and recreational sectors have been characterized by significant shifts in target species throughout the last 45 years.
According to the study, the two sectors often have competing objectives, methods, and expectations. Commercial fishers rely on consistent access to waters and sustainable catch volumes to support income and supply chains. Recreational anglers, meanwhile, are increasingly focused on ecosystem preservation, fish size, and catch quality — factors influenced not just by fishing pressure, but also by coastal development, water quality, and climate variability.
The Collaboratory found that these stakeholder groups sometimes lack trust in state regulators and in each other. Building that trust, the report argues, is essential for future management.
One proposed solution is to improve transparency and credibility in decision-making through the creation of a Science and Statistical Committee — an independent body modeled after similar institutions used in federal fisheries management, designed to vet data, guide quota decisions, and build consensus.
Key Policy Recommendations The report concludes with five major recommendations, aimed at strengthening North Carolina’s fisheries management:
Establish an Independent Science and Statistical Committee to ensure transparent, peer-reviewed advice for fisheries regulation.
Improve stakeholder participation and communication to rebuild trust between fishers and regulators.
Adopt ecosystem-based management, shifting away from single-species models to address interconnected environmental factors.
Prevent habitat degradation, particularly in marshes, oyster reefs, and submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV).
Reevaluate and adapt the PNA network, which may no longer provide sufficient protection for key juvenile species.
These recommendations do not advocate specific regulatory actions, such as banning shrimp trawling, but they provide a framework for future policy conversations.
A call for science-driven policy As state lawmakers prepare for the next legislative session, the findings from this landmark study are likely to remain central to the conversation. Both supporters and critics of HB 442 have pointed to the report to justify their positions, reflecting the deeply divided nature of fisheries politics in North Carolina.
Yet, as Dr. Warren emphasized, the goal of the study was to “analyze the status of North Carolina’s fisheries and develop policy recommendations to better manage the overall health of fisheries and fisheries’ habitats” — not to dictate specific laws.
All of ENC today (July 2) has the potential to see thunderstorms with heavy rain, according to the National Weather Service out of Morehead City.
Wunderground’s forecast is calling for showers this morning with windy with thunderstorms developing in the afternoon. Storms may contain strong gusty winds with a high around 83 degrees and winds southwest at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain is 90%.
The Weather Prediction Center of the National Weather Service has expanded the slight risk (at least a 15% chance of flash flooding) to include nearly the entire forecast area.
The Shave Shack on Ocracoke has scheduled a Color Glow Party at dark on Thursday (July 3) following the Ocracoke Square Dance. See flyer below.
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.
MANTEO, N.C. — Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore) reminds visitors and adjacent homeowners that it is illegal to detonate fireworks, or have fireworks in your possession, on all Seashore beaches, including the beaches on Ocracoke Island and all the beaches in Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco and Hatteras Village.
Fireworks of any kind also are prohibited in Ocracoke Village.
In addition to fireworks being illegal and a significant fire risk to local communities, the personal use of fireworks can be a considerable nuisance to humans, pets and wildlife.
Seashore law enforcement rangers will be patrolling the beaches throughout the Fourth of July holiday week.
Visitors are encouraged to travel to Hatteras and Ocracoke islands to view the only two permitted fireworks shows within the Seashore.
Permitted Fireworks Shows
9:15 p.m. Wednesday, July 2, at the south end of Ocracoke Island
9 p.m. Friday, July 4, at the Avon Fishing Pier
Text NPSOBX to 333111 for park text alerts.
Text CAHAORV to 333111 for beach access text alerts.
The NPS parking lot will close at 5 pm July 1 for fireworks on July 2. Everything must be removed. Lot to reopen July 3. Photo: C. Leinbach/Ocracoke Observer
See Independence Day activities for the week here.
Monday, June 30 Ocracoke Community Library: Used Book Sale continues during public hours: M-F, 3-7 pm; Saturday 9 am to 1 pm
Ocracoke Oyster Company: Caldwell Grey, 7:30 pm
Tuesday, July 1 Ocracoke Preservation Society Porch Talks: Al Scarborough: The changing face of Ocracoke, 1 pm.
MiniBar at Ocracoke Coffee: Family game night. 6-8 pm
1718 Brewing Ocracoke: Whiskey Business, 7 pm
Ocracoke Oyster Company: Martin & Friends, 7:30 pm
Wednesday, July 2 Ocracoke Community Library: Baby, toddler & preschool story time.10 am.
Community Market, Pony Island Inn lawn. 3-7 pm
MiniBar at Ocracoke Coffee, 6-8 pm: Island Trivia
Ocracoke Oyster Company: That Guy Shane, 7:30 pm
1718 Brewing Ocracoke: Dune Dogs
Fireworks, NPS parking area, 9:15 pm. Canceled due to forecast of thunderstorms.
Thursday, July 3 OPS Porch Talk: Chester Lynn: Figs, Portsmouth Island & all things Ocracoke, 1 pm
Fundraising Fish Fry for the OPS.Island Inn Commons, 4-6 pm. If stormy weather, it will be moved to the Community Center
Friday, July 4 44th Annual Sand Sculpture Contest at the NPS Lifeguard Beach. 9:30 am – Noon. Amateurs only. Voting for Best in Show by all: noon to 1 pm.
10 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 to 4:30pm:Ocracoke Lighthouse open for viewing the inside. No climbing.
Ocracoke July 4 parade, 4 pm
MiniBar at Ocracoke Coffee, 6-8 pm: Kate McNally
Community Beach Fire under the Stars at the Ocracoke Day Use Area/NPS Lifeguard Beach, 7-10 pm
DAJIO: Ray McAllister Band, 8 pm
Saturday, July 5 MiniBar at Ocracoke Coffee: artist TBD, 6 pm
Ocracoke Oyster Company: Ocracoke Rockers, 8 pm
DAJIO: After School Surf Club, 8 pm
1718 Brewing Ocracoke: Kate McNally, 7 pm
Sunday, July 6 Church services: Ocracoke United Methodist Church, 11 am Ocracoke Life Saving Church, 11 am Stella Maris Chapel: Sunday afternoon Mass time varies. Go to Masstimes.org and type in the zip code: 27960 Ocracoke Oyster Company: Martin & Friends, 7:30 pm
DAJIO: Open mic with Adam Lavigne, 8 pm
National Park Service programs:
The following free programs run from June 16 to Aug. 28. Banker Ponies at the Ocracoke Pony Pen: Every Monday and Wednesday, 8:30 am — 9 am Ocracoke Lighthouse: Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 11 am — 11:30 am Life on a Barrier Island: Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 2 to 2:30 pm. Outside the Discovery Center. MorningBird Walk: Every Tuesday from 8:30 to 9:30 am. Meet at NPS campground parking lot.
From the 2024 Sand Sculpture competition. Photo: P. Vankevich/Ocracoke Observer
The Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department starts the July 4 parade at 4 p.m. Photo: C. Leinbach/Ocracoke Observer
Please visit the Ocracoke Civic & Business Association Facebook page for updates in case of inclement weather.
OCRACOKE — 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:
Wednesday, July 2 7 pm: Pre-fireworks gathering: Ocracoke Island deejay Tommy Hutcherson will spin dance tunes and patriotic songs at the NPS dock area.
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. Sponsored by Hyde County.
Thursday, July 3 Community Market, 3-7 pm. Pony Island Inn lawn
4-6 pm. Fundraising Fish Fry for the OPS. Island Inn Commons, 4 to 6 pm. If the weather is stormy, it will be relocated to the Community Center.
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.
Ocracoke square dancing will be at 7 pm July 3 in the Berkley Barn. $5 admission for adults. Photo: C. Leinbach/Ocracoke Observer
Friday, July 4 9:30 am – Noon: 44th Annual Sand Sculpture Contest at the NPS Lifeguard Beach. Open to all ages, individuals and groups. Amateurs only. See rules below. Voting for Best in Show by all: noon to 1 pm.
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. BYO seating.
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.
Independence Day activities are sponsored by the Ocracoke Occupancy Tax Board, Hyde County and produced by the Ocracoke Civic & Business Association.
The Sand Sculpture contest is open to all from 9:30 am to noon on July 4 at the Lifeguard beach. Photo: C. Leinbach/Ocracoke Observer
Fireworks by Pyrotecnico begin at 9:15 pm July 2 at the NPS parking lot. Photo: C. Leinbach/Ocracoke Observer
A community beach fire concludes the July 4 events from 7 to 10 pm at the Lifeguard beach. Photo: C. Leinbach/Ocracoke Observer
