https://www.ncpotatofestival.com/By Olivia Sugg, Online-Editor-In-Chief
Living on the Outer Banks offers lots of exciting activities, but many of them can get old fast. We all love going to the beach or eating at Barefoot Bernie’s for the third time of the week but in case you are getting tired of that, here are some unique activities to spice up your spring.
Currituck Bulls and BBQ: April 9
You would think that a rodeo would not be the most popular Outer Banks activity, but think again. Tickets are already sold out for this year’s annual Currituck Bulls and BBQ event. This year’s event will be held on April 9 at the Currituck County Rural Center from 12 to 6 p.m. While you may not be able to get a ticket to attend this year’s festivities, next year’s rodeo is already set for Saturday, Nov. 5.
https://co.currituck.nc.us/uncategorized/currituck-bulls-bbq/
Sheep Shearing Day at Island Farm: April 9
Didn’t get a ticket to the rodeo? Head to Island Farm in Manteo on April 9 for sheep shearing day. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and you can watch the flock of sheep at Island Farm be hand sheared. This unique experience of watching the sheep be sheared but also the wool be spun and woven into cloth is something you will not want to miss.
https://www.outerbanksvoice.com/2022/03/21/sheep-shearing-day-at-island-farm/
Elizabethan Gardens Butterfly Festival: April 1 – 30
Head to the Elizabethan Gardens any day in April to take some spring Instagram photos and see some butterflies in the John White Butterfly Center. If you are looking for a special butterfly experience head to the gardens on Tuesdays for a Butterfly house release (requires reservation) or Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. for Grand Butterfly releases (free with admission).
https://www.elizabethangardens.org/butterfly-festival/
Historic Flat Top Tour: April 30
Haven’t you always wanted to walk through your favorite old beach house you drive by every day on the beach road? Well now you can. On April 30 the fifth annual Flat Top Tour will take place and over 13 historic flat top homes will be open to the public. Tickets can be purchased the day of at 1 p.m. at 156 Wax Myrtle Trail and at the Outer Banks Community Foundation at 13 Skyline Road. Tickets are $10 and proceeds benefit the Flat Top Preservation Fund of the Outer Banks Community Foundation.
Potato Festival: May 20 – 22
The North Carolina Potato Festival is by far my favorite event of the year. The Festival is a weekend-long event (Friday 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) that takes up all of downtown Elizabeth City. The hour drive will be very worth it for the free french fries, the national potato peeling contest, amusement rides, carnival foods, live music, street fair, farm show, auto show and more.
https://www.ncpotatofestival.com/
Taco Cook-off: May 1
I’m sure we all have our own opinions on who makes the best taco on the beach, but that will be put to the test on May 1 at Ortega’z in downtown Manteo from noon to three. Tickets are $25 and admission allows you to try a taco from each competing restaurant. The event will also offer live music, raffle prizes and children’s activities and is an opportunity you will not want to miss.
Outer Banks Walking Tours
Who knew the Outer Banks was the “spookiest beach in America”? I surely did not, but you can find out why on an Outer Banks ghost tour scheduled through OBX Walking Tours. You can book a tour at the link below for $25, which pays for a lantern-lit tour through downtown Manteo where guides share the haunted history of the Outer Banks.
https://obxwalkingtours.com/ghost-tours/
Jockey’s Ridge Events
We have all run up and down Jockey’s ridge more times than we can count, but not many people know about the additional opportunities the State Park offers. A calendar of the many free events can be seen below, with over 20 events in April alone anyone can find an event to attend this spring. Some of this month’s highlights include a Hawk watch where you can learn more about the “migrating raptors” and possibly spot on soaring across the dunes, a “Star Party” that takes place at Dowdy Park, complete with telescopes to view the night sky and “Kayak the Sound” which required pre-registration but is completely free.
https://www.ncparks.gov/jockeys-ridge-state-park/events-and-programs
Whether you attend all of these events or just one, I’m sure they will be the highlight of your spring.
Junior Olivia Sugg can be reached at 23suggol52@daretolearn.org.
