Film Festival on the Outer Banks

Posted on October 21, 2009

Dare County Arts Council and the Southern Arts Federation present the 3rd Annual Short Circuit Traveling Film Festival.

The Short Circuit Traveling Film Festival spotlights recent short films by filmmakers living and working in the Southeastern United States. The Film Festival will tour from September 2009—May 2010 as a self-contained, three-hour event that may be enjoyed in a single afternoon or evening. These twelve short films feature something for everyone, ranging from animation, to documentary, to experimental, to fiction. Bring a friend and enjoy an evening out! There will be southern foods to sample, live bluegrass music, and a cash bar. And don’t miss out on the gift packages that will be raffled at intermission!

Showing at:

Roanoke Island Festival Park Film Theater, November 13th

Barefoot Station in Avon, November 20th

Doors open at 6:45pm on both dates.

General Admission Tickets: $10

Student tickets: $5

Tickets go on sale October 17th and are available at the Dare County Arts Council Gallery in Manteo, KDH Cooperative in Kill Devil Hills, and at Barefoot Station in Avon. Please call the Dare County Arts Council for more information at 252.473.5558.

Update on New Outer Banks Bridge – Mid-Currituck Bridge

Posted on October 21, 2009

Mid-Currituck Bridge A new Outer Banks toll bridge that will connect mainland Currituck to the Currituck beaches is continuing to progress.

In April, the state Turnpike Authority entered an agreement with Spanish firms ACS Infrastructure Development and Dragados USA to determine if the project is financially feasible and possibly become investors for it. The bridge will span about five miles and tolls will be estimated to be in the range of $10-$15 for a one way trip. It is projected that the bridge will earn $7 million in revenue the first year. By 2025, traffic counts are expected to average 19,200 daily on summer weekends, with tolls at $12 and annual revenue of $24.9 million. The state budget includes $15 million annually in public money to help finance the project.

The idea of the bridge is to alleviate the traffic congestion entering the Outer Banks. Some predict that this bridge could potentially reduce the trip to Corolla by an hour. Currently, all travelers heading to Corolla have to travel south to Kitty Hawk, and in effect make a u-turn to head north on Rt. 12.

An environmental impact statement on the bridge is expected by the end of the year. Construction is scheduled to begin in February and be finished in 2013. For more, click here.

Outer Banks Marathon is Right Around the Corner – Great Specials Available

Posted on October 21, 2009

Runner

The 4th Annual Outer Banks Marathon and Half Marathon are taking place Veterans Day weekend – November 7-8, 2009 – on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Join some of the best runners in the world as they trek over the beautiful landscape of the Outer Banks.

Book your 3-night stay with Seaside Vacations and get the 4th night free!*
Plus
Free Early Check-in ($90 value) & Late Checkout ($90 value)

The Outer Banks Marathon and Half Marathon offer a unique course that’s breathtakingly beautiful, a fun EXPO and post-race “Pirate Jamboree,” wonderful community support and a chance to spend a weekend on the picturesque Outer Banks of North Carolina. Learn more about all of the events – including the Expo and Pasta Party – during the 4th Annual Outer Banks Marathon weekend…

Great vacational rental homes still available.

Update on Outer Banks Surf Contest: “Battle of the Banks” Did Not Go Off This Weekend

Posted on October 19, 2009

Mickey 2M McCarthy Barrell 10.19

The “Battle of the Banks” did not go off this past weekend, but the Outer Banks waves sure did.

High tide was around 7 a.m. and rough seas washed over the dunes at S Turns shutting the road down for a couple hours. Unfortunately, most of the contestants were not able to make it down south for the beginning of the contest.

However, the good news is that left a full day for the OBX and VB teams along with every other surfer in the area to hit some amazing OBX barrels. The beach was packed with fishermen, spectators, cameramen, and about 50 – 100 surfers. The current was intense, making it very difficult to get in position, but for the lucky few that did, there were some amazing rides to be had; 8 – 10 foot tubes with some rides lasting up to 30 seconds and covering more than 100 yards.

I stood in awe next to Mickey “2M” McCarthy as he snapped the above picture. Here’s a great compilation that was posted on SurfKDH.com showing some of best rides of the day, and here’s some props from ESPN.

We missed out on a great contest, but we definitely didn’t miss out on great waves or great surfing. Enjoy the videos below.

Fall on the Outer Banks

Posted on October 19, 2009

9.12.09 Surf Session 013

The fall is arguably the best time of year to fully experience the unique charm that only the Outer Banks can offer…locals favorite time of year.

After September, the beach quiets down just in time for perfect fall weather; warm days and cool nights. Empty beaches, warm water, best time of year for surfing some the best surf on the East Coast, and amazing fishing. Restaurants are much less crowded and the dining is still first class, and many stores remain open all winter for shopping.

Plenty to see and do outside as well – Jockey’s Ridge, Pea Island, Hatters National Sea Shore, 4 gorgeous lighthouses, Nags Head Woods Preserve, wild horses, and the list goes on.

One of the best advantages of the fall…save some money. You will find substantially lower rates during the fall.

One of the Outer Banks’ best kept secrets, the off-season.

Winter Education Series on the Outer Banks

Posted on October 19, 2009

Currituck Heritage Park Winter Educational Series

COROLLA IN RETROSPECT

* Getting Here * Making It Here * Surviving Here

Experience life in the past from a panel of local experts; Come prepared to participate! Refreshments served. No cost to attend. Donations welcome.

CURRITUCK HERITAGE PARK IS LOCATED PAST MILEPOST 11 ON RT. 12 N. IN COROLLA, NC.

ALL SEMINARS WILL BE HELD IN THE OUTER BANKS CENTER FOR WILDLIFE EDUCATION.

Reservations Required. Please call 252-453-9040 ext 3.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009 9:30 am

MAKING IT HERE

Local Recipes
Living off the Land
Historical Traditions

Tuesday, January 12, 2010 9:30 am

SURVIVING HERE

Storm Stories
Passing the Time
Seasonal Skills

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 9:30 am

GETTING HERE

Boats
Carts
Automobiles

Co-Sponsored by the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education, the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, and The Whalehead Club at Currituck Heritage Park. Each facility will be open for Tours.

Outer Banks Scenic Byway Receives National Designation

Posted on October 18, 2009

The Outer Banks Scenic Byway received national status on Friday as one of America’s Byways®, recognizing NC Highway 12 for its fascinating coastal heritage and unique natural landscapes.

“The Outer Banks touch people in different ways. Part of that connection, whether it is to the beach, or the landscape, or to the memories made while vacationing here is inextricably linked to the drive,” explains Lee Nettles, managing director for the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau. “When you round the curve of NC 12 and see Oregon Inlet and Hatteras Island for the first time, for example, that never leaves you. Those moments of surprise and wonder continue the whole length of the Outer Banks Scenic Byway.” www.outerbanksscenicbyway.org

The itinerary for this newest national byway features drives along barrier islands featuring national landmarks and coastal villages and two car ferry rides. The byway travels through two national seashores, Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout, and two national wildlife refuges, Pea Island and Cedar Island. Along the byway are four historic lighthouses and world famous stopovers for migrating song birds and waterfowl. Scattered across this wild and scenic coastline are maritime villages with a common cultural heritage

Outer Banks Surf Contest – “Battle of the Banks” – Set for This Weekend

Posted on October 15, 2009

Virginia Beach is a short 1-2 hour ride from the Outer Banks; that close proximity tends to breed a fierce rivalry between the surf cultures.

The Outer Banks tends to get the notoriety as a world-class surf zone/culture (Surfer even named Kill Devil Hills in the Top 10 Surf Towns), but VB has its share of waves and great surfers, and the VB surfers definitely hit the waves with something to prove.

One of the best East Coast surf competitions is taking place this week, and it pits these fierce rivals against each other. The WRV Battle of the Banks is taking place this Saturday on Pea Island. The official site will be determined by the contest directors based on the best possible conditions.

The Battle of the Banks captures the soul of Right Coast surf, gorgeous fall weather on the Outer Banks, water cooling off as autumn drags on, potential for strong off shore winds, fast, heaving barrels that only the Outer Banks sandbars can produce, and fierce rivals.

It is a grudge match with bragging rights on the line. VB vs. OBX. David vs. Goliath as far as overall East Coast surf is perceived. But don’t count David out. VB is the reigning champ and aims to hold their crown.

This is only the second year of the contest, but 2008 was epic. Some of the best East Coast surfers navigating some of the gnarliest 8 foot barrels of the year. Here is a great video from Surfline that highlights last year’s Battle of the Banks.

Since everyone is relatively local to the Outer Banks, the contest is setup with a wide window of opportunity to take advantage of the best possible OBX conditions, and it seems this weekend is going to provide those conditions. If it is anything like last year, we are in for one heck of a battle.

A new format to the contest was added late this week due to the change in the number of surfers from originally 20 down to only a team of 15 surfers from each county(VB and OBX). Contest directors have decided to have an additional qualifier or “surf off” for the remaining 3 spots on the team. The 8 qualifiers and alternates from the Outer Banks Pro Contest will surf a heat in the morning and the 3 highest placers in that heat are added to the 12 invitees for the team of 15 in the “Main Event”.

Bluegrass On the Outer Banks

Posted on October 15, 2009

The Gospel Bluegrass Group Some Assembly Required

Saturday October 17^th, 7:30 at the Outer Banks Music Showcase

Tickets only $11.95 and kids are FREEE!

For more information on tickets and schedules, please contact the box office at

252. 261.7505

Wright Brothers Book – “Conquering the Sky”

Posted on October 13, 2009

Conquering the Sky In North Carolina schools, children are taught that December 17th, 1903 is the date that the Wright Brothers took to the sky with flight. Larry E. Tise, author and historian, feels that there are several other dates that are just as important.

Tise believes that May 8-14th, 1908 is equally important because the world truly began to notice of the Wright Brothers. Before, the flights were solo with only one brother operating the plan, but by 1908, both brothers could experience flight together, and they were able to remain air born for a few minutes.

Tise’s new book Conquering The Sky tells the tale of these two extraordinary people that made it possible for humans to take flight. The book paints a picture of all the hard work and preparation that went into making this astonishing achievement. This book is considered to be the most detailed account of the events leading up to their famous flights and is a must read for any Outer Banks Lover.