Monthly Archives: October 2008

Outer Banks Native Scores “Best Barrel” for Local Surf

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Once again the Outer Banks is highlighted as a worldclass surf destination. 

Outer Banks local Jesse Hines scored the summer’s “Best Barrel” in Billabong’s Freewave Challenge.  Jesse took advantage of the great swell gifted to the Outer Banks by Hurricane Ike in early September.  Jesse charged a thick tube and successfully escaped before the wave crashed.   View the impressive video footage here:  http://freewave.billabong.com/nominees/barrel_nominee/index.html. 

Not only does Jesse get the benefit of an amazing ride and bragging rights, but he was also awarded $3,000 from Billabong for his feat. 

Congratulations to Jesse.  

 

 

Coast Guard Comes to the Rescue on the Outer Banks

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  Three crew members of a small sailboat, Noah’s Ark II, were stranded in their craft just south of Nags Head, NC on Sunday afternoon.  The crew called 911 when the sailboat’s propeller malfunctioned and the boat was stuck in rough, choppy seas in Oregon Inlet on the Outer Banks.  The Oregon Inlet Coast Guard crew members could see the sailboat, but the craft was stuck in an area that was too shallow to access with the Coast Guard’s lifeboat.  Instead, a helicopter from the Coast Guard Air Station in Elizabeth City was called in to hoist the sailboat’s crew to safety.  The crew was deposited safely at the nearby Coast Guard station. 

Outer Banks BBQ & Beer Fest. 2nd Annual Pig Stein

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Pig Stein is a celebration of beer, barbecue and the Outer Banks.  2008 marks the second annual combined beer festival and barbecue cook-off in North Carolina’s Outer Banks hosted by High Cotton BBQ and Chip’s Wine & Beer Market.

 

When:  October 25, 2008; Noon – 8 p.m.

Where:  105 Promenade Lane, Kitty Hawk, NC (MP 0)

 

October is a beautiful time to enjoy the Outer Banks with gorgeous weather and no summer crowds.   The festival will offer a full day of live music, comedy and fun activities for the whole family. 

 

Portions of proceeds from Pig Stein go to support Dare Home Health & Hospice, who offer end of life care to Dare County residents who are under or un-insured.

 

Beer: 

Pig Stein is a full-scale beer festival with breweries from around the world pouring more than 100 beers. Brewery representatives will be on hand to answer questions about their brews. The beer tent will open at 2:00 p.m. and close at 6:00 p.m., just in time for the last band of the day.  While national and international beers will be available, the tent will feature the two local breweries, Outer Banks Brewing Station and Weeping Radish, as well as North Carolina breweries. Entry to the beer tent will be controlled in two sessions, to insure participants full access during each three-hour session.

 

BBQ: 

Pit masters from around the state start slow roasting their hogs at the festival site late Friday night to be ready to face the judges at 11:00 a.m. on festival day. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three pit masters. Professional carvers will then move in to dazzle the crowd with their chopping skills and serve up exquisite BBQ the rest of the day, $5 for a sandwich, $7 for a plate. No tickets required. The barbecue extravaganza is hosted by High Cotton BBQ.

 

Tickets:

You can listen to music, watch the standup comedy, visit the vendors, all for free.  There will be BBQ, drinks, beer and snacks available for purchase.  However, you must have a ticket to enter the beer tent.

·         Tickets available at:

o    Chip’s Wine & Beer Market, MP6 in Kill Devil Hills

o    High Cotton BBQ, MP 1 on the “Beach Road”, Kitty Hawk

·         Beer Tasting General Session – 2:00 – 6:00 p.m.   $30

o    Unlimited 2 ounce tastings of more than 100 beers

o   Pig Stein tasting glass

·         VIP Tasting Session – 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.  $50

o   One hour in the tasting area with a limited number of people (only 300 VIP tickets available)

o   Entry to General Session as well

o   Reserve beers not available in general sessions

o   Unlimited 2 ounce tastings of more than 100 beers

o   Pig Stein tasting glass

Outer Banks 22nd Annual Stunt Kite Competition

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  Kitty Hawk Kites will host the 22nd annual Outer Banks Stunt Kite Competition on October 18-19 at the Wright Brothers National Memorial. 

The competition begins on Saturday morning and continues through Sunday afternoon.  Events will run 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. 

Professional kite fliers from around the country will compete in a variety of events:  individual kite flying, pairs and team flying, and kites set to music.

The competition is open to the public and all ages are encouraged to join the festivities.  Spectators can enjoy watching the pros or take part in free events:  Enjoy kite making and flying lessons.

Kid’s Kite Making 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Stunt Kite Lessons – 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. 

Outer Banks Surf Competition

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  Wave Riding Vehicles is holding its annual Outer Banks Pro surfing competition in Rodanthe between October 19 and 26. 

It is an invitation-only event being billed as the “Battle of the Banks.” Two 12-man teams will meet in the waters of the Outer Banks.  The teams will be divided between 12 surfers from Virginia Beach and 12 surfers from the Outer Banks. 

Surfline is going to forecast the actual day of the event and will give a three to five day window for event organizers to choose the day with the best surf.

This is a one day event and the winning team will take home $3,600 while the losing team will share $1,900.  But more than money, there are big bragging rights on the line. 

 

  

Trips Planned Despite Tough Economic Times. Great Outer Banks Deals.

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Despite a slowdown in the the economy, a new Travelocity (www.travelocity.com) poll finds 78 percent of respondents plan to travel for at least one of the upcoming holidays.

There is no denying the fact that the U.S. economy is struggling through a difficult period.  However, it is promising to see that consumers are still planning to take much needed vacations and holiday trips. 

The Outer Banks offers a great opportunity for a short breather from everyday stresses, and it is an affordable vacation alternative during difficult economic times.  Gorgeous vacation rentals are available throughout the year. 

For more information on the Outer Banks and to view available homes, please visit www.OuterBanksVacations.com. 

Outer Banks Marathon November 9. Seaside Vacations’ Marathon Discount.

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Rent a Vacation Home for the 2008 Marathon on November 9 and Receive:

10% off the rental rate*

PLUS

FREE Late Check Out ($90 Value!)**

 

Seaside Vacations rents quality, affordable vacation homes located in Corolla, Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head.

 

Nightly and weekly rates available.

 

Contact Seaside Vacations at 800.395.2525 or

rentals@seasiderealty.com and mention code MARATHON08 to receive your discount and FREE late checkout ($90 value!)

* Valid only on participating homes.

** Subject to availability.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month. “Pink Sunday” on the Outer Banks.

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  October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Sunday, October 12 is the first annual “Pink Sunday” on the Outer Banks.

 

“Pink Sunday” is a grassroots effort that has developed over the past few years to bring awareness to the epidemic of breast cancer, and 2008 marks the first year the Outer Banks will participate.  Local restaurants will be offering discounts to customers wearing pink on Sunday, October 12.  The Participating restaurants are:  Henry’s Beef and Seafood; Stack ‘Em High; Outer Banks Brewing Station; The Colington Cafe; Lone Cedar Cafe; The Full Moon Cafe; Atlantic Coast Cafe; Dolphin Den; Toppers, Sandbar & Grill; Big Al’s Soda Fountain and Grill, Quarter Deck; and Martha Jane’s Kitchen. 

 

The Breast Cancer Task Force of the Healthy Carolinians of the Outer Banks (HCOB; www.hcobx.org) is sponsoring “Pink Sunday” and other community activities to generate awareness about the importance of early detection, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.  One in seven women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, and early detection is one of the key factors in effective treatment and recovery.

 

Please support the awareness efforts, and take time to keep yourself and loved ones safe and healthy.    

Outer Banks Tourism Remains Strong

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  The Outer Banks of North Carolina is a 130 mile chain of barrier islands beginning on the Northern coast of NC.  The Outer Banks central location in the middle of the Atlantic Coast is ideal for travelers all over the Eastern seaboard and central United States.  A few hours in the car can bring you to a vacationers dream. 

The Outer Banks is an ideal destination for vacationers throughout the year.  The islands offer pristine beaches, great outdoor activities (surfing, kayaking, kite-boarding, fishing, etc.), amazing coastal cuisine, an abundance of history (Blackbeard the pirate spent time on the islands, the Wright Brothers took the first flight on the islands), and gorgeous natural scenery.  The summer months are the busiest with vacationers taking advantage of the warm weather and the endless beaches, but the Outer Banks offers a great vacation throughout the entire year.

There is no denying the fact that the U.S. economy is struggling through a difficult period.  However, sometimes a short respite from reality is just what we need to manage difficult times with a smile on our face.  The Outer Banks offers a great opportunity for a short breather from everyday stresses, and it is an affordable vacation alternative during difficult economic times. 

The islands are within driving distance from a large portion of the United States; so you can avoid the cost and hassles of air travel.  In addition, the Outer Banks offers great deals on gorgeous vacation rental houses.  Vacation rentals offer advantages over hotels and are a fraction of the price.  The cost of vacation rentals can be split between a group of people, and vacationers get the benefit of spending time with loved ones in a personalized, comfortable, communal atmosphere.  Ample room to spread out, kitchens to prepare homemade meals, and many homes offer pools and game rooms. 

Despite the economic worries, tourists are taking advantage of the great opportunities on the Outer Banks.  Gross occupancy receipts for August 2008 are up 13.7% compared to the month of August in 2007.  From January 1, 2008 through August 31, gross occupancy figures show a year-to-date increase of 3.9%.

Carolyn McCormick, Managing Director of the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, reports “August 2008 numbers show the strength and viability of the barrier islands as a major travel destination amid challenging economic times for the traveling public. Travel and tourism is one of the industries that has felt the pressures of a faltering national economy and August gross occupancy receipts have certainly given us pause to be thankful for the millions of visitors that have chosen to spend their vacations along our islands.”

The Outer Banks is a great travel alternative and gorgeous vacation rentals are available throughout the year. 

For more information on the Outer Banks and to view available homes, please visit www.OuterBanksVacations.com.  We hope to see y’all soon.