Outer Banks Annual Events - Outdoor & Nature

Ocracoke's fun-filled race weekend, held the last weekend of April, draws runners of all skill levels for a half-marathon, 10K and 5K. If you're looking to set a PR, the courses are flat (there's hardly even a hill on this island) and therefore very fast. The 10K and 5K are held on Saturday morning, beginning at Gaffer's Sports Pub and winding through the village. The half-marathon is held on Sunday morning; the course begins at Gaffer's and heads out to the Ocracoke NPS campground then comes back to the village and ends at Gaffer's. Post-run parties are held at Gaffer's both days. All runners receive a t-shirt and finishing medal. These races are fundraisers for Ocracoke Community Radio (WOVV), Ocracoke School Athletic Booster Club and the Ocracoke Community Park. Sign up at runocracoke.com.

This two out of three day fishing tournament is a low-key Outer Banks event of fishing and socializing. After the initial day of cocktails, a captains’ meeting and mingling, teams head out from Pirate's Cove to compete for the best offshore catches. Fishing starts in the morning and continues well into the afternoon. This tournament concludes with an awards banquet and silent auction. It's called a two out of three day fishing tournament because each team is given one lay day – a great way to enjoy a flexible schedule during the tournament. There are four levels of the Carolina Boat Builders Tournament, so whether you’re an amateur angler or have been a passionate fisher your entire life, there’s a spot for you to compete. The tournament benefits the Dare County Boat Builders Foundation, which promotes the public awareness of the local boat building industry and supports educational opportunities for local students. For information, go to the DCBBF website.

Here at the Outer Banks we love our seafood – the tuna, mussels, oysters, grouper, scallops, mmmm, we could go on and on about it. Have you ever thought about the source of seafood that you buy or eat? Hatteras Island’s Day at the Docks is an event to celebrate seafood and answer all of your questions about it. Learn how seafood affects the Outer Banks community and economy. Discuss marketplace choices and sustainability within local communities. You can participate in the Fishy K Fun Run, put your cooking skills to the test in a chowder cook off, enjoy competitions, demonstrations and much more. The Taste of North Carolina, Hatteras Style event is also held during Day at the Docks, so spend your evening sampling regional food and beverages while listening to live music. For more information, questions or concerns, reach out to Day at the Docks through their Facebook page or by emailing the event's website.

This event has become an Outer Banks spring tradition, and there could be no more beautiful setting than The Elizabethan Gardens in full bloom. The event features an egg scavenger hunt, photo ops, a homemade bake sale, an egg roll on the Great Lawn, visits from Sir Walter “Peter” Wabbit, make and take crafts, gift certificates, stuffed animals, bake sales and more. All of the family fun activities make this a favorite for the little bunnies in your house. The Great Lawn features entertaining performances from local music groups, dance troupes and storytellers. Kids with festive hats and bonnets will even get to enter a contest for their finery. This Outer Banks event takes place the Saturday before Easter.

Take a step back in time to a Roanoke Island winter in the 1850s. Island Farm invites you to celebrate fall food traditions as they share with visitors how coastal families prepared for winter two centuries ago. Learn about and try your hand at hearth cooking, food preservation and candle making. You can shuck some corn and do a little shelling too. In between all of these activities, tour the farm with a classic ox-drawn wagon ride. If you bring a nonperishable food item with you, you’ll receive a dollar off admission, and the goods will be donated to the Roanoke Island Food Pantry. You’ll be having fun while helping out a great cause. From Garden to Hearth is held the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving Day.