Did you know that over 2,000 films have been filmed (full or partially) in North Carolina? 2K?! That’s impressive.
NC is sort of the Kevin Bacon of movie locations…we fit into any role.
North Carolina as a whole has a very diverse, and beautiful landscape…not to mention the diverse and interesting cultures and residents.
I guess it makes sense; we all love the OBX, so why not Hollywood too?
From Wilmington (also known as “Hollywood East”) to Lenoir to the Outer Banks, the beautiful, pristine beaches and majestic mountains have been the settings for some noteworthy movies throughout the years. From the east to the west, the diverse landscape in North Carolina can fill in for just about any part of the world, in any time period.
Here are a few you may know…
Movies filmed in North Carolina:
Hannibal
Patch Adams
Nell
Forrest Gump
The Fugitive
Last of the Mohicans
Mr. Destiny
Dirty Dancing
Bull Durham
Days of Thunder
The Swan
Shallow Hal
The Green Mile
Blue Velvet
The Color Purple
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood
The Secret Life of Bees
Weekend at Bernie’s
The OBX specifically, has had a few films take place on the island, but not necessarily filmed here, and a couple that conducted filming right here…including some locals as extras. Nights in Rodanthe is the most recent, and arguably the most well known, and the filming of that movie was a very neat experience for a lot of local residents.
Movies filmed on the Outer Banks:
Brainstorm (one scene filmed at The Wright Brothers National Monument)
Nights in Rodanthe (filmed in the village of Rodanthe)
Movies filmed on North Carolina beaches:
Message in a Bottle (filmed in Wilmington)
Movies set on North Carolina beaches:
Dear John (set in Wilmington)
Nights in Rodanthe (set in the village of Rodanthe)
Message in a Bottle (set on the Outer Banks)
So, what are you waiting for? Come discover why Hollywood loves North Carolina (and the Outer Banks). After all, it’s not hard to see how our pristine coastline, southern charm, captivating history, and rich culture have captured the hearts of moviegoers everywhere.
Outer Banks: 2011 World Championships of Surf Kayaking
September went out, and October arrived, with a bang on the Outer Banks. Actually, it was more of a splash…a big splash; a worldwide splash.
Fall on the Outer Banks is awesome. Empty beaches, warm weather, warm water, and fantastic surf. The perfect time to bring a huge surf kayaking contest to the OBX!
For 10 days, from September 29th – October 9th, the 2011 World Championships of Surf Kayaking were held on the Outer Banks, specifically at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head, NC.
This is a huge contest. It is held every two years, and the last event was in Brazil; we are very happy that it found its way to the Outer Banks. 10 days worth of events, contestants from all over the world, a wide variety of event categories, and the Outer Banks provided some perfect conditions. The weather and waves varied a bit over the 10 day period, but there was plenty of sun, a lot of great waves, and some amazing kayaking.
I was able to make it to the event five of the ten days. It was great to see so much excitement and energy on the beach…and in the water. I couldn’t get there everyday, but I made sure to get there when all of the fickle surf ingredients lined up to throw some great waves our way. And there were plenty of gorgeous waves to go around.
I’ll let the official website of the event (http://www.worldchampionshipsofsurfkayaking.com/) offer the full recaps, including opening and closing ceremonies and list of winners, but I do want to share some of great surf kayaking highlights…and amazing OBX waves.
Sit back, kick up your feet, enjoy the scenery; the waves and kayaking are mesmerizing…and don’t forget to turn up the speakers, I think you’ll enjoy the jam from Foster the People – “Pumped Up Kicks.”
Hope to see y’all kayakers back on the OBX soon!…thanks for the show.
The Rip Curl GromSearch is a global series for the best young surfers around the world to showcase their talent…and it’s coming to the Outer Banks August 20- 21, 2011.
In the US, the Rip Curl GromSearch brings the best surfers from across the nation to their local, regional competition with the hopes of making the Rip Curl National Final at the Rip Curl Pro Search Somewhere in San Francisco in the Fall.
The 2011 North American series is made up of 4 regional championship events and the winners of each event advances to the National Final to compete for the title of Rip Curl GromSearch National Champion.
The first-ever Rip Curl GromSearch was held at Jan Juc, Torquay, Australia in 1999. This led to the creation of a National series including Europe, the United States, Brazil, South Africa, Indonesia, and New Zealand.
Entry is easy. To log on to check out dates, locations and availability, click here
MID ATLANTIC
Stop 3:
Rip Curl GromSearch OBX, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina 2011
Start: Saturday, August 20, 2011 @ 8:00 AM End: Sunday, August 21, 2011 @ 3:59 PM
The Outer Banks Sentinel is reporting that the Town of Duck continues to push full steam ahead on an ambitious project to build a 10-foot wide, wooden soundfront boardwalk that will stretch behind the park and extend to the existing walkways of the waterfront businesses.
In the long-run, the hope is to ultimately have the boardwalk run the entire length of the village and will offer a safer and more enjoyable way to enjoy the towns shopping areas and pristine natural stretches.
People are already enjoying the completed areas, and the town has applied for a grant to pay for the southern extensions. The town believes the new boardwalk will allow vacationers and residents to access the sound and enjoy all of its beauty that has mostly been off limits because it is behind privately-owned properties.
Another important factor of the boardwalk is safety. Duck is very busy during the summer when folks are out walking, riding bikes and jogging through town, and it can get pretty congested as cars are trying to make it through. The hope is that the boardwalk may resolve some of these traffic issues.
Town planners also plan on adding a 130-foot pier that will feature four day-use boat slips to the agenda. Taken together, the boardwalk and piers offer something different than the beach for the thousands of people who visit this small sea-to-sound town each year.
The Town of Duck believes this is just the first piece of an overall pedestrian plan. When and if the mid-Currituck bridge is built from the mainland to Corolla, the Town of Duck may seek approval from the N.C. Department of Transportation to make some changes in town such as additional crosswalks.
Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Monday, March, 14, 2011.
This video was shot at the Avalon Pier in Kill Devil Hills at 9:00 AM.
It was a very exciting weekend on the Outer Banks. First of all, we are soooo close to spring. It was daylight savings time this weekend, and now that we have sprung forward, night isn’t falling on the OBX until almost 7:30! We have reached the middle of March, and the official first day of spring is less than one week away! Such a great time of year.
And this weekend definitely felt like spring. We had bright sun and temps in the upper 60 – lower 70′s all weekend with a light wind out of the west. The west wind was perfect for cleaning up the head high swell we had in the water all weekend. Clean head high surf with glassy conditions for most of the weekend. Perfect start to the spring surf season.
Unfortunately, the weather has shifted a bit, and we’re off to a chilly, overcast start to the week, but the sun and warm weather will return tomorrow and stick with us for most of the week and into next weekend.
In addition to a great surf weekend, it was also a record setting OBX fishing weekend! The rock fish have headed back north, but OBX fishing is heating up. We got our first report from Ocracoke of a puppy drum catch, so the fish are on the move, and the Osprey are showing up, so that’s a good sign that the Sound fishing will start to take off soon.
But the big (nay, giant) news from the weekend is the record setting blue fin tuna that was hauled into Oregon Inlet on Saturday. The Charter boat Sea Breeze out of Oregon Inlet skippered by Capt. Ned Ashby and angler Corey Schultz hooked and landed a 805 lbs 8 oz. blue fin tuna that could be the new North Carolina State Record. The catch beats the current state record of 744 pounds set in 1995.
Don’t just take it from us…Raleigh based Fifteen501 magazine encourages a spring visit to the Outer Banks too!
Boasting the amazing OBX history – one of the first settlements of Virginia Dare, Blackbeard, shipwrecks in the Graveyard of the Atlantic and the first in flight – Fifteen 501 encourages travelers to make the trip to the Outer Banks.
But there’s more than just history…
The wild mustangs still populating the island of Corolla are said to be the descendants of those aboard Spanish shipwrecks and are just another great site on more than 130 mile stretch of beaches.
With a wide array of quiet spots to sit back and enjoy plenty of relaxation and recreation, the Fifteen 501 believes the entire Outer Banks is worth visiting but there is one place of the beaten path. Duck, NC.
Inspired by its uncrowded beaches, friendly locals, beautiful views and artistic feel, Duck is an island town that continues to move residents and visitors alike. High class amenities, delicious coastal cuisine, locally owned shopping and amazing vacation rental homes are some of the great reasons to plan a spring or summer trip to the Outer Banks.
Thanks Fifteen 501…please, come back and visit again soon. :)
The North Carolina Aquarium encourages Outer Banks residents and visitors to help keep the OBX beaches clean and save the endangered sea turtles by picking up trash. In an effort to raise money and awareness, the NC Aquarium is accepting specific pieces of trash in exchange for funds directed towards the endangered sea turtles.
If you want to help out review the list of acceptable items to be donated and once you have saved up a stash, send them to Christian Legner at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island.
P.O. Box 967 Manteo, North Carolina 27954.
Please make sure wrappers and chip bags are separated from each other. Thanks!
Here is a list of items that can be donated:
• Any granola, power, nut, or Clif bar with a foil lining.
It’s never too early to start thinking about summer…especially considering the OBX is going to get hit with snow tonight!
The town of Duck, NC puts together an awesome schedule of free, fun, and family-friendly events every summer, and 2011 is no exception. Music, magic, story-telling…there’s something for everyone and it’s all freelicious!
Here’s the 2011 highlights:
ANNUAL 4TH OF JULY DAY PARADE – JULY 4, 2011 at 9:00 A.M.
Duck’s seventh annual Fourth of July Parade will be held on Monday, July 4, 2011 at 9:00 a.m., with an after-event following at the Duck Town Park featuring music by Ruth Wyand & Friends, refreshments, and the awarding of parade trophies. The one-mile parade route is the same annually and begins at the crest of the hill on Scarborough Lane going eastward, continues down Ocean Way, and then turns onto Christopher Drive. No part of the parade is on Duck Road (SR 12). Please plan to come early to get the best parade viewing spot. For more information or to register an entry for the parade, visit www.townofduck.com/4thofjuly.htm.
SPECIAL SATURDAY CONCERT WITH THE LANGLEY WINDS
The United States Air Force Heritage of America’s Langley Winds Woodwind Quintet will be in Duck for a special free performance on Saturday, June 11, 2011 beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Town Amphitheater. This is the band’s second appearance in Duck and we are thrilled to have them back on our stage. For over 10 years, The Langley Winds have been inspiring audiences with a musical repertoire which includes a wide variety of popular, patriotic, and chamber music selections. Mark your calendars and plan to join us for this very special concert.
“DUCK UNPLUGGED” SINGER/SONGWRITER SERIES – TUESDAY EVENINGS
New to the schedule for 2011 is “Duck Unplugged”, our four-week long singer/songwriter series. The concerts will be on Tuesdays from July 5, 2011 through July 26, 2011 beginning at 6:00 p.m., and will be held in the Town Amphitheater. The current schedule of performances is (subject to change):
Tuesday, July 26 – Coyote: Marcy Brenner & Lou Castro
SUMMER MUSIC SERIES – THURSDAY EVENINGS
This popular evening concert series returns for its fifth season. For eight weeks, local musical groups will take the stage at the Duck Town Park Gazebo. The concerts begin at 6:00 p.m., and are on Thursday evenings from June 23, 2011 through August 11, 2011. The current schedule of performances is (subject to change):
Thursday, June 23 – The Rajun Cajuns (New Orleans Style Dance/Rock)
Thursday, June 30 – Aquarium (Jam Rock & Blues)
Thursday, July 7 – The Fuzz Band (Jazz, Funk, Blues, Hip Hop)
Thursday, August 11 – The Little Kings (Dance Rock & Soul)
MORNING THEATER AND MUSIC SERIES – TUESDAY MORNINGS
The cast from The Lost Colony Musical Theater will be in Duck on Tuesdays from July 5, 2011 through August 9, 2011 presenting a musical song and dance preview of The Lost Colony production. All shows are at 10:00 a.m. and will be held in the Duck Amphitheater. Each week will be a little different so plan to join us for one, or all, of the shows!
FAMILY MAGIC SHOW – WEDNESDAY MORNINGS
Witness incredible illusions, mind-bending magic, comedy, and audience participation the entire family will love — live on stage! OBXtreme Magic features some of the most incredible magic and illusions performed by world-renowned illusionists Clive Allen & Tracy.
This six-week long series of shows will be held at 10:00 a.m. at the Town Amphitheater on Wednesdays from July 6, 2011 through August 10, 2011, and is underwritten by Kellogg’s Supply and The Cottage Shop.
Although this event is free, tickets will be required for entry as the event is fully underwritten and seating in the amphitheater is limited. All attendees (of any age) must possess a ticket to gain entry to the performance.
Tickets will be available beginning the Monday the week of the show at Kellogg’s Supply/The Cottage Shop, 1201 Duck Road (directly across from the Town Park). There is a six ticket maximum for this event. Tickets will NOT be available at the Town Office or at the Town Park.
Please remember, that ticket holders will be granted entrance to the amphitheater first; and then non-ticket holders will be granted entrance, if space allows, on a first-come, first serve basis. Non-ticket holders are NOT guaranteed entry to this event so please take the time and visit Kellogg’s Supply/The Cottage Shop to pick up your tickets early in the week of the show that you want to attend as these tickets are in high demand.
CHILDREN’S STORY TIME – THURSDAY MORNINGS
Bring the children for story time sponsored by Duck’s two book stores: Duck’s Cottage and Island Book Store. Story time will be held in the Duck Amphitheater at 10:00 a.m. on Thursdays beginning July 7, 2011 and continuing through Thursday, August 11, 2011. Story time is geared to children between the ages of 3 and 7.
5TH ANNUAL DUCK JAZZ FESTIVAL
The Fifth Annual Duck Jazz Festival will be held on Sunday, October 9, 2011 beginning at 11:00 a.m. on the Duck Town Green. Artists for the 2011 show will be announced soon. Plan to join us for this popular event! For more information, please visit duckjazz.com.
All of the events, except for the parade, will take place at the Duck Town Park, 1200 Duck Road, Duck, North Carolina. Please remember to bring a blanket or lawn chair for events being held on the Town Green. Beach umbrellas or tents are NOT permitted within the Town Park. All events will be held outside. In the case of inclement weather or site or performer unavailability, an activity may be cancelled or rescheduled.
For the most up-to-date schedule, please visit townofduck.com, call the Town’s Events hotline at (252) 255-1286, become a fan of the “Town of Duck” on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter at “DuckPR.” Updates, changes, and cancellations will be posted on the Town’s website and at the park.
It seems traffic and congestion concerns will keep the proposed bridge out of the small town Aydlett. Instead, the toll booths on the mainland side will be closer to Coinjock.
The proposed bridge is a seven mile, two lane toll project that would cross Currituck Sound and connect the mainland at U.S. 158 near Aydlett with N.C. 12 on the Outer Banks south of Corolla.
The bridge could cut about 50 miles off the drive from Hampton Roads to the Northern Outer Banks. It is expected to reduce traffic congestion as well as provide an alternate hurricane evacuation route for the northern Outer Banks.
Its estimated to cost about $660 million and open in 2016, and the toll could cost drivers $6 to $12 each way to help with funding the project.
Outer Banks Mid-Currituck Bridge Preferred Alternative
As a hobby, fishing is famous for tales of the big one that got away. For the past week and a half, the Outer Banks has been buzzing with fish stories. But these aren’t stories about the fish that got away; these are tales of limitless catches, state records, and tasty eats.
Rock fish, aka stripers or striped bass, move down the east coast in the early winter months as the water cools. Following the bait fish and staying in water temps that are just right for their temperament, these fish can be difficult to predict. It’s easy to predict that some will show up, but when and how many is anyone’s guess. Every year brings a unique experience, and 2011 is bringing a run that the OBX hasn’t seen in quite a few years…in fact, it’s been a record setting run!
Hundreds of boats have gone out of Oregon Inlet over the past two weeks. 500+ over New Years weekend alone. FaceBook is full of great images of local catches. The roads are full of boats being trailored and heading south to the Inlet. It seems everyone is talking about the big one that didn’t get away. But there are two catches that beat them all.
Last Wednesday a 12 year old fishing out of Oregon Inlet landed a NC record setting striped bass tipping the scales at 63 pounds! This is huge for a rock fish, and it broke the North Carolina record that stood since 2005.
But the new record only lasted for 48 hours. On Friday, a party chartered the Poacher out of Oregon Inlet, and Keith Angel reeled in a giant rock weighing in at 64 pounds! Two state records within two days.
The Poacher netted a state record, caught the limit of two stripers per person for everyone on the boat, and released 50 more rock fish! There are clearly a giant amount of rock fish in the area, and based on the records, it seems there is both quantity and quality.
The word on the street is that this is easily the best rock fishing the Outer Banks has seen in 5 or 6 years. It’s great to see so much excitement during a relativley quiet time on the OBX.
If you’re thinking about coming down, please take a look at www.OuterBanksVacations.com We have plenty of houses available with easy access to Oregon Inlet, and we’d love to help you find a house that meets all of your needs.
