With the Holiday Season in full swing on the Outer Banks it seems like there is almost too much to do to see everything, but there are a couple of must see traditions for folks living and visiting here.
Last night's tree lighting in downtown Manteo is one of those slices of small town life that should never be missed if there is any way to get there. Centered around the steps of the old Dare County Courthouse, that's now the home of the Dare County Arts Council, the celebration of the season is a wonderful reminder of what is best about small town life in America.
There is free hot chocolate and cider. A local church hands out Brunswick stew-and it's really good, too-children's choirs sing, dancers dance, there's narration, Santa Claus and of course the giant evergreen in the parking lot between the Tranquil House Inn and Poor Richards gets lit.
The weather was perfect for the event last night and the 2014 version may have been the best attended yet . . . and they have been doing this for something like 40 years.
Another great event on Roanoke Island-and this one ongoing-is the Winter Lights at Elizabethan Gardens. One of the finest formal gardens anywhere, the paths are lit with thousands of lights for the holiday season. Beautiful and memorable.
