Easter Activities on the Outer Banks

Thousands of Eggs Hidden on The Outer Banks

Here are some fun Easter events for your children or grandchildren

Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday, March 27, 2PM

Dare County Family Recreation Park, KDH, Sponsored by Dare County Parks & Recreation, Ages 2 to 10. Family fun activities include temporary tattoos, egg/spoon races, sack races, pictures with Easter Bunny, bean bag toss, ring toss, pin the tail on the bunny, sidewalk decorating and more! 1:30 PM to 4 PM. Three age groups: 0 to 3; 4 to 6; 7 to 10. Free.

Ray Turners 2nd Annual 94.5 WCMS Easter Egg Hunt, Friday, April 2, 12 Noon

Roanoke Island Festival Park Outdoor Pavilion. Two hunts will be offered for Kids 4 to 6 and also those 6 to12. Hundreds of eggs. Grounds open at 11 a.m. Free.
http://www.roanokeisland.com/

Easter Egg-stravaganza, Friday, April 2, 1 pm to 3 pm, Whalehead Club at Currituck Heritage Park, Corolla.

Join the Easter Bunny and the Currituck Duck for a traditional egg hunt in Currituck Heritage Park. Lots of fun children's activities like Balloon Art; Face Painting; Egg & Spoon Races; Bean Bag Toss; Jellybean Counting Contest; Snacks & Refreshments; Fabulous Prizes! Free. http://www.whaleheadclub.org/

Easter Eggstravaganza, Saturday, April 3, 10 AM to 2 PM, Elizabethan Gardens, Manteo.

This is a fun-filled morning of egg rolls, egg hunts, Magic Mike and crafts, as well as music and games. Children under 12 admitted free with paying adult or Friends member. http://www.elizabethangardens.org/

Easter Eggstravaganza, Saturday, April 3, 11 AM, Kitty Hawk Kites, Nags Head

The LARGEST Easter Egg Hunt on the Outer Banks! Several hunts beginning at 11 AM. Over 2,000 candy and toy-filled eggs are waiting to be collected. Fly Into Spring activities at Kitty Hawk Kites and Jockey's Ridge State Park - 10 AM to 2 PM. http://www.kittyhawk.com/ Free.

Sea Turtle Egg Hunt, Saturday, April 3, 10 to 11:30 AM, NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island.

Attention small "turtlers!" Join the Aquarium this spring to learn about one of our local endangered species, the sea turtle. Children will take part in a sea turtle program, come face to face with a loggerhead turtle, and make a craft to take home. The program will conclude with an actual egg hunt on the Aquarium grounds as children search for plastic eggs filled with treats! Event will be held rain or shine. Ages 4 to 7. Cost: $7; Limit 20. Preregistration required. (252) 473-3494 x 232. http://www.ncaquariums.com/

Jockey's Ridge State Park in Nags Head

Jockey’s Ridge State Park is a wonderful place to visit on the Outer Banks. It is located at milepost 12 to 13 in Nags Head. It is made up of large dunes of shifting sand with little vegetation. It is the tallest natural sand dune system in the Eastern United States.

There is a marvelous story to this park being created by the State of North Carolina. In the early 1970’s, when I began visiting the Outer Banks, there were little jars with slits in the top as collection containers to “Save Our Dunes.” These could be seen at almost every local business. At that time, some of the dunes were actually being “sand mined” and carried away to be used as fill in other areas. There was a local jewelry maker named Carolista Fletcher Baum who persisted to save the dunes.

She began her campaign of collecting funds and lobbying legislators to protect this ridge of sand dunes. The state eventually purchased the ridge and created the State Park. The dunes are enjoyed by young and old alike.

Any time of year you can see kite flying and hang gliders on top of the ridge. At Christmas time there was a wonderful display of red and green lights up the kite string and outlining the kite. It was wonderful glowing against the starry night sky.

There is a museum at the entrance to Jockey’s Ridge which is free to the public. You can hike across the dunes and see the ocean and sound. In the early mornings, the wildlife tracks from foxes, deer, birds and an occasional snake are fun to identify in the sand before all the human tracks cover it up.

Any wildlife or plant life that you see on the ridge must not be disturbed or removed from the park. You may also see fulgurites on the dunes. They are hollow tubes that are formed when lighting strikes the sand. You may not remove any fulgurites from the ridge. There are samples of these in the museum.

Sunsets on the ridge are breathtaking. There are many free programs that are presented by Jockey’s Ridge State Park including the sunset watch and star gazing at night.

There are picnic tables to accommodate your lunch. There is a great sound side beach on the west side of the ridge. The water is very shallow and great for small children. Children love climbing the ridge and rolling down the soft hills in the sand. A wooden boardwalk provides handicapped accessibility with a great view at the end.

The dunes are constantly changing shape and migrating to the south. Every few years, the State of North Carolina has to have sand trucked from the south side of the ridge back over to the north side of the ridge. Recycled Christmas trees have been used on the south end of the dunes to delay this migration.

Each year that you come, you will see how the ridge has changed. Start your own photo collection from year to year to mark the migration of the dunes. You may wish to join the Friends of Jockey’s Ridge who preserve and support the park. As a member of the Friends group, you will receive discounts in the Gift Shop as well as a newsletter, The Dune Breeze.

Visit the Jockey’s Ridge State Park website at http://www.jockeysridgestatepark.com/info.html

OBX Pirate Half Marathon

Get set for the OBX Flying Pirate Half Marathon!

Division: 2010 USATF NC Half Marathon Championship

When: Sunday April 18th

Start Time: 7:30 AM with a course time limit of 5 hours

NOTE: Mandatory wave start - placed by estimated finish time. 1st wave for elites and competitors

Entry Fees: $75 2/15/10 - 4/1/10
$80 EXPO 4/16 - 4/17/10

Course Profile: Varied terrain, coastal, scenic and walker-friendly. Former Outer Banks Marathon finishers have commented on the beauty of the first half of the marathon course.

The Flying Pirate Half Marathon, winding its way through the natural beauty that is North Carolina’s Outer Banks, is like no other. After finishing the Flying Pirate, you will have run one of the most beautiful parts of the East Coast. Begin your journey in historic Kitty Hawk, home to the birth of aviation. At mile 8 you’ll run along the base of the famous Wright Brothers Monument, marking the location of the first flight that took place on December 17, 1903. Around mile 10, you’ll enter the Nags Head Woods Nature Preserve. This lush maritime forest will amaze you with its understated beauty. At about mile 12, you’ll leave Nags Head Woods on a narrow trail with off-road conditions. For details, please visit the OBX Marathon website.

Whether you are a runner or a spectator, Beach Realty/Kitty Hawk Rentals has weekly and partial week accommodations. Email us or call 800-635-1559 and one of our friendly Vacation Specialists will assist you with your reservation.

Proceeds will benefit the Outer Banks Relief Foundation, Inc., a non-profit foundation on the Outer Banks of North Carolina devoted to help people on the Outer Banks in need. Beach Realty/Kitty Hawk Rentals supports the foundation and its missions are to assist citizens on the Outer Banks in crisis.

2010 Outer Banks Bike Week

The 2010 Outer Banks Bike Week is set for April 18th - 25th, 2010! Get ready to rev up your motorcycle engine and make your way to the beautiful beaches of the Outer Banks for a week filled of hog-lovin' fun. This year's 8th annual bike week is going to be bigger and better than ever before! Beach Realty & Construction - Kitty Hawk Rentals is a proud sponsor of the Outer Banks Bike Week and are excited to have many bikers vacation with us for the week.

Here is a video from the 2009 Outer Banks Bike Week Burn Out Competition in Manns Harbor



For more information visit: http://www.harleybay.com/custompage.asp?pg=bikeweek

Below is the schedule of events:

2010 Outer Banks Bike Week Schedule of Events

All week Rides & Events:

Pin Run- OBX H-D – Nags Head H-D – Bayside H-D

Run for the Ferry-Win a Vacation in the OBX for Bike Week 2011
(Pick up your "Ticket" at either OBX or Nags Head H-D)

Ride 2 Three-Win a $1000 Shopping Spree-announced April 25, 2010 (Do not have to be present to win.)

All events at Vertigo Tattoo:$10 at the gate.
Wall of Death at Vertigo Tattoo-shows every hour all week.

Sunday
Welcome Bikers!!
12 noon-8pm Vendors open at 5 locations
Vertigo Tattoo:
11am-4pm Super Bike Contest
5pm- Burnout Competition
4pm-9pm The Walker Brothers Band

Monday
10am-8pm Vendors
All Day-Lucky 12-$1 drafts!
9am-10am Registration-Guided Tour-Around the Sound
Vertigo Tattoo
11am-4pm Metric Bike Contest
5pm Burnout Competition
4pm-9pm The Walker Brothers Band
8pm-11pm Red Drum Taphouse Dreadnecks Band

Tuesday
10am-8pm Vendors
9:30am-10am Registration Guided Tour to Knotts Island-OBX H-D
The Pit- Live Music-$1 Tacos $3 Coronas and Margaritas
12pm-3pm Outer Banks H-D stage Ted Reiser Band
Vertigo Tattoo
11am-4pm Sportster Bike Contest
5pm Burnout Competition
4pm-9pm The Walker Brothers Band
7pm Lucky 12-Nat Hall Band-Rock & Blues

Wednesday
10am-8pm Vendors
9am-10am Guided Tour "Run for the Ferry" OBX H-D
12pm-3pm Ted Reiser Band-OBX H-D Stage
1pm-4:30pm Red Drum-Free Oyster Roast /Mojo Collins Blues Band
Vertigo Tattoo
3pm Hot Wing Contest
11am-4pm Custom Paint Contest
5pm Burnout Competition
11am-4pm Cory Daniel Band
4pm-9pm Triple Shot
7pm Lucky 12-Nat Hall Rock & Blues Band
8pm-11pm Red Drum-Frozen Head & The Squirrels Band
Offical Party Night at Mojo Café- Waves NC Concert Mojo Collins Blues Band

Thursday
10am-8pm Vendors
9am-10am Guided Bike Week "Pin Run"
12pm-4pm South Phantom Band-OBX H-D Stage
12pm-4pm Jolly Rogers Pig Pickin & DJ
2pm-4pm Registration Ladies ONLY Bike Show-OBX H-D
4pm-5pm Judging Ladies ONLY Bike Show-OBX H-D
Vertigo Tattoo
11am-4pm Big Twin Contest
5pm- Burnout Competition
11am-4pm Cory Daniel Band
4pm-9pm Triple Shot
8pm-11pm Red Drum-Dreadnecks Band
10pm Lucky 12 Tavern-DJ Bruce
Official Party at Port O’Call Restaurant 6pm-til?

Friday
10am-8pmVendors
9am-6pm H-D Demo Truck at Nags Head H-D
10am-Noon Poker Run Registration at Neon Moon Saloon/Jarvisburg
12pm-4pm Cory Daniels Band at OBX H-D Stage
11am-Til It's Gone- Kitty Hawk Baptist Church-Hamburgers-Sausage & Dogs
12pm-2pm Miss 2009 OBX Bike Week Signing-Shandi Lester
2pm-4pm Bike Show Registration at Nags Head H-D
3pm Tattoo Contest (Registration 12-2:30pm)
4pm-5pm Bike Show Judging at Nags Head H-D
Vertigo Tattoo
11am-4pm Vertigo Tattoo-Antique Motorcycle Contest
5pm Burnout Competition
4pm-9pm Triple Shot
7pm Lucky 12 Tavern-Ted Reiser Band
7pm Biker Worship at Kitty Hawk Baptist Church
8pm-11pm Red Drum-Frozen Head & The Squirrels Band
Official Party at Kelly’s Restaurant 6pm til?

Saturday
10am-8pmVendors
9am-11am Poker Run Registration at Nags Head H-D (Last bike back by 2:30pm)
9am-6pm H-D Demo Truck at Nags Head
2:30pm Best Beer Belly at OBX H-D Stage
3pm-4pm Miss OBX Bike Week Contest-OBX H-D Stage
11am-Til It's Gone- Kitty Hawk Baptist Church-BBQ
12pm-4pm Awaiting the Sun Band on the OBX H-D Stage
12pn-2pm Miss 2009 OBX Bike Week Poster Signing-Shandi Lester
12pm-4pm The Pit Pig Pickin and Live Music
Gravediggers Mud Bog Event
Vertigo Tattoo
11am-4pm Old School and Bobbers Contest
5pm Final Burnout Competition $250 Cash Prize
11am-4pm Cory Daniel Band
4pm-9pm Triple Shot
7pm Lucky 12 Tavern-Ted Reiser Band
8pm-11pm Red Drum-Dreadnecks Band
Official Party Host OBX Brewing Station 6p til ?

Sunday
10am-3pm Vendors
8am Service at OBX H-D
10am Service Kitty Hawk Baptist Church-Parking Lot
8am-12noon Official Farewell Breakfast at Jolly Rogers Restaurant
10am Service at Kitty Hawk Baptist Church
All Day-Treasure Coin Discounts- Find the Pirate to get the Booty at OBX H-D

Free things to do on the Outer Banks

Listening to comments from children posted on Beach Realty’s “For the Kids” page makes me realize why I fell in love with the Outer Banks. I will share several that I recently received. These make you realize that the best things in life are FREE! On the Outer Banks, there are many FREE things to do to create memories that last a lifetime.

“I like to go ghost crab hunting at night!” Nicholas from New York

“Walking at night looking for crabs” Kailynn from Virginia

“Throw bread to the seagulls and have them all around us!” Keara from Virginia

“Build sandcastles, find seashells, go in the ocean, play with friends and family” Trinity from Pennsylvania

“Swim in the ocean, play in the sand, and play with my friends and family!!! :) Skylar from Pennsylvania

“Burying my sister's body (except her head) in the sand.” Stephie from Pennsylvania

“Watching Jellyfish!” Alexander (state unknown)

“Flying a kite” Gwendalyn from Florida

“Go boogie boarding with my family.” Emily from Virginia

“Boogie boarding, playing in the waves, tanning, reading a book, looking for dolphins, and taking pictures” Lauren from Virginia

Our beaches are free! You don’t have to buy a ticket to go the beach. Things to do at the beach are endless. As mentioned by the kids: watch wildlife in the ocean including fish, jellyfish, dolphins, pelicans, shorebirds and an occasional whale. Crabs, in the wash near the shore, hurry to hide in the sand after each wave. Build sandcastles. Don’t forget a special container for the shells and sea glass you will find along the shore. Sea glass is beautiful and may be found in many colors. Some folks have a “special talent” for finding sea glass, maybe you are one of those.
At night on the beach, crabs are fascinating to watch as they scurry around. The moon and stars are beautiful from the shore as the water glistens in the moonlight.

You may want to contact Nest-Network for Endangered Sea Turtles and volunteer to watch hatching sea turtles to assure that they are undisturbed. You may be lucky enough to watch them hatch and crawl to the ocean. www.nestonline.org

Jockey’s Ridge State Park is a huge ridge of sand dunes that constantly move and change shape due to the blowing wind. They are a great place to climb and roll down. You can fly a kite! When you reach the top of the dunes and look east at the ocean and west at the sound, it is an awesome sight. I always feel like a pirate when I do that and wonder at how many might have stood on that ridge. Nags Head got its name from the Pirates who used to hang lanterns around a “Nag’s Head”, a nag being a horse. The lantern would appear to be a lighthouse and cause ships to be misled and wreck along the shore. If you visit the ridge in the early morning, you can see deer, fox and bird prints in the sand. Great fun! All of this if free. You can visit the Jockey’s Ridge Museum and participate in organized program such as the Sunset Viewing at no charge. Bring a picnic basket as there are picnic tables available. There is a wonderful sound side beach behind Jockey’s Ridge that is great for little kids who want to wade but are perhaps intimidated by the ocean. www.jockeysridgestatepark.com

Nags Head Woods has 5 miles of walking trails where you can observe nature. You must at least treat yourself to a car drive through the largest Maritime Forest on the East coast. It is hard to believe you are on the Outer Banks when you visit the forest. If you are a bird watcher, this is the place to go. There are guided tours that have a fee, but you may explore on your own with a map. www.nature.org

Travel across the causeway to Manteo and visit Marshes Light which is a lighthouse with a Fresnel lens. This is a restored lighthouse that looks like a small house and was originally located in the sound. Near this site, is the Maritime Museum, where you can watch boats being built or restored. You can also see the Elizabeth II, a ship like the Mayflower, across Shallowbag Bay. This ship was built in the Maritime Museum. The lighthouse and the Maritime Museum are free to the public, fun to visit, and very educational. The park in this area has a playground, picnic tables, and park grills. www.obxmaritime.org
http://www.outerbanks.org/attractions/historical_sites/roanoke_marshes_lighthouse.asp www.townofmanteo.com

Cross over Shallowbag Bay on the little bridge and visit Festival Park. This is where the Elizabeth II ship is located. There is a fee to visit the ship and Museum but ask about free events as they have many during the summer months. There are many free concerts and plays in the summer, many for children. You can also walk on the dock all around the park and view the marsh and wildlife. Kids love to search for shark’s teeth in the fossil pit that is located by the entrance to Festival Park. There is no charge for this activity. http://roanokeisland.com

If you are in Corolla, enjoy the NC Wildlife Museum, no admission fee and many free programs to sign up for. In Corolla Village you can visit the Wild Horse Museum which has children’s programs and teaches about Wild Mustangs that live here as descendants of shipwrecks. The museum is located in a historic one room schoolhouse. The Currituck Lighthouse is located in Corolla Village with a minimal fee to climb. Across from the lighthouse through the woods and into the sound is an estuarine walkway with great views of plants and animals.

http://www.ncwildlife.org/Education_Workshops/Outer_Banks_Center.htm

http://www.visitncne.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&catid=123:attractions-in-north-carolina&id=148:Corolla-Wild-Horse-Museum-in-the-Corolla-School-House&Itemid=27


If you are a nature lover and history buff, the Outer Banks is the place to soak it up. Explore! Enjoy all these FREE family activities for memories that will last a lifetime.