Posted on 6/25/2019

Outer Banks 4th of July an All Day Affair

Fireworks over Avalon Pier, Kill Devil Hills.
Fireworks over Avalon Pier, Kill Devil Hills.

On the Outer Banks the 4th of July is pretty much an all day affair. There's a parade; there's a street fair—two of them, really. And of course fireworks. Spectacular fireworks.

One of our favorite ways to start our Independence Day celebration and really get us in the mood for the rest of the day is to check out the town of Duck's 4th of July parade.

Parade, Town of Duck, 9:00 a.m.

Nothing that we have seen is quite like it. It is this wonderful combination of the weird, wacky and love of country that it is impossible to walk away and not be smiling.

Plan to arrive a bit early. Parking and traffic can be a problem.

 The Duck parade is a morning event, so there's plenty of time to get ready for the afternoon events.

There are two of them and they lead right into some spectacular fireworks.

Whalehead Club, Corolla, 3:00 p.m.

Fireworks at Dusk

Games, competitions and rides geared toward children during the afternoon. Lots of food vendors are always on hand and usually there's fundraiser or church group thrown in the mix with some delicious homemade goodies.

The setting is beautiful and the fireworks over Currituck Sound is as good as it gets.

Manteo Waterfront, 3:00 p.m.

The Manteo 4th of July festivities are street fair and celebration all rolled into one. 

A lot of food vendors, craft booths, offbeat and original competitions—Wacky Hat and Best Bike Decoration contests—and the traditional. Best apple pie...it doesn't get any more traditional than that.

Live music all day. Just a wonderful, wonderful time.

The fireworks are lit off at Roanoke Island Festival Park, but can be easily seen anywhere along the waterfront.

Just Fireworks

Nags Head, Nags Head Fishing Pier

Kill Devil Hills, Avalon Pier

There is something indescribably wonderful about sitting on the beach and watching fireworks. Making it better, the towns do a really nice job of putting on an excellent show.

The two locations are about five miles apart, so it is possible to sit in the middle of the piers and watch both shows. Some of the sound and effects are lost over distance, but it is a pretty cool experience.

We hope you're as excited as we are at Joe Lamb, Jr. & Associates about celebrating our nation's birthday.