With Dare Days and First Friday on tap, Manteo is the place to be this weekend. Making it even better, the Outer Banks weather is looking great for Friday and Saturday.
First Friday
First Friday is the Manteo celebration of small town life the first Friday of the month from April through October. What makes the June First Friday special is it's the first one of the summer.
Centered around the Dare County Arts Council Gallery, that used to be the County Courthouse, First Friday includes live music on the steps and inside a featured artist every month.
First Friday, though spreads out across the downtown waterfront area of the town, with live music from two or three other venues, food prepared from carts on the street and shops open late.
Dare Days
Dare Days, though, is certainly the highlight of the weekend.
This is the 42nd Annual Dare Days and it has become a wonderful celebration of Dare County and its culture.
A family oriented day, there are street vendors out serving food, lots of game and great live music.
The games are imaginative and look to be fun.
There is the Blue Ribbon Competition, a cooking contest with contestants in age groups 6-12, 13-17 and adults. And what are they preparing: Cookies, Breads, Pies, Candy, Cakes, Pickles, Jelly, Jam and Preserves, and Salsa and Relish. In other words, a little bit of everything.
There is also an "Everything That Floats but a Boat Race," a Kid's zone and, more.
There are two stages set up for live music, and looking over the lineup...it's pretty impressive. The Original Rondells bring amazing vocals to the stage; Jonny Waters will be on hand with his tight rocking country rock arrangements. Also a new band that's getting a lot of recognition, The Ramble will be playing.
Arts and craft booths will line the streets, music always playing, lots for kids to do...it should be a great day.
