Crystal Canterbury
A Fabulous Fourth!
Photo by Crystal Canterbury

Had I known the full extent of Independence Day awesomeness on Ocracoke, I would've had more coffee.

A lot more.

Saturday morning the National Park Service hosted a meet 'n greet at the pony pasture, which allowed visitors free access to see and feed six of the sixteen members of Ocracoke's pony heard. Lead Interpretive Ranger Mandy Harmon, who's worked on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore seasonally for past few years, led the event. Laura Michaels and Jocelyn Wright, both residents of Ocracoke and year-round National Park Service employees, and Sherry Atkinson, a longtime volunteer, were also there to meet visitors and and answer questions.

The event began at 8:30 and allowed visitors to meet and feed hay to ponies Bonita, Jitterbug, Paloma, and Oops, all of whom are visible from the parking lot and overlook. Visitors also got to meet Sacagewea and her foal Hazelnut, who turned five-months old on July 4th. With nearly 200 attendees the program was quite a success!

For information on this and more Ranger-led programs, grab a free "In the Park" newspaper from the Visitor Center. Inside you'll find a list of activities by location and time.

Sherry Atkinson
Sherry Atkinson
Photo by Crystal Canterbury

A Fabulous Fourth!
Photo by Crystal Canterbury
A Fabulous Fourth!
Photo by Crystal Canterbury
Jocelyn Wright and Laura Michaels
Jocelyn Wright and Laura Michaels
Photo by Crystal Canterbury

From there, I peddled to the Lifeguard Beach to see the Sand Sculpture Contest. But that's another story!

Following the sand castle competition I headed back into the village. On the lawn of the Pony Island Motel was a line a vintage vehicles, all emaculately polished and out on display. The cars were set up so people could peek at the interiors, while a few had their hoods propped up so people could check out the engines.

A Fabulous Fourth!
Photo by Crystal Canterbury

A Fabulous Fourth!
Photo by Crystal Canterbury
A Fabulous Fourth!
Photo by Crystal Canterbury
A Fabulous Fourth!
Photo by Crystal Canterbury

Another special event occurred at the Ocracoke Lighthouse. Island native Chester Lynn welcomed visitors into the base of the lighthouse, allowing them the opportunity to look up the winding staircase and learn some local history. Chester shared stories and history with over 600 people between 10 and 2. Chester's been hosting the lighthouse visits on the 4th of July for over 20 years. When it's not Independence Day, the lighthouse base is opened several times a week, courtesy of NPS volunteers. Days and times for public access are posted at the Ocracoke Visitor Center.

Chester at the lighthouse
Chester at the lighthouse
Photo by Crystal Canterbury

A Fabulous Fourth!
Photo by Crystal Canterbury

The parade, which started at 3 o'clock, was also a big success! There were flags and homemade floats, super heroes and local royalty, local fire and rescue vehicles were flashing their lights and blaring their horns, and golf carts – decorated in patriotic fashion – filled the main street of Ocracoke. Locals who sponsor and support the "No Drill, No Spill" movement rolled through on a golf cart, and the victorious young baseball athletes proudly rode on a trailer, spraying onlookers with refreshing, cold water.

Towmater, or Mater, a cartoon character and star of the motion picture "Cars" was brought to life and participated in the parade yet again this year. And local Sheriff's Deputies greeted spectators in their vehicles and their brand new golf cart. The parade ended in the National Park Service public parking area, which gave everyone the chance to see all the floats and participants up close!

A Fabulous Fourth!
Photo by Crystal Canterbury

A Fabulous Fourth!
Photo by Rob Temple
A Fabulous Fourth!
Photo by Maddie Bishop
A Fabulous Fourth!
Photo by Maddie Bishop
A Fabulous Fourth!
Photo by Maddie Bishop
A Fabulous Fourth!
Photo by Maddie Bishop
A Fabulous Fourth!
Photo by Maddie Bishop
A Fabulous Fourth!
Photo by Maddie Bishop
A Fabulous Fourth!
Photo by Maddie Bishop
A Fabulous Fourth!
Photo by Maddie Bishop
A Fabulous Fourth!
Photo by Maddie Bishop
A Fabulous Fourth!
Photo by Maddie Bishop
A Fabulous Fourth!
Photo by Maddie Bishop
A Fabulous Fourth!
Photo by Crystal Canterbury
A Fabulous Fourth!
Photo by Crystal Canterbury
A Fabulous Fourth!
Photo by Crystal Canterbury
A Fabulous Fourth!
Photo by Crystal Canterbury
A Fabulous Fourth!
Photo by Crystal Canterbury
A Fabulous Fourth!
Photo by Crystal Canterbury
Ocracoke's Head NPS Ranger Ed Fuller
Ocracoke's Head NPS Ranger Ed Fuller
Photo by Crystal Canterbury
A Fabulous Fourth!
A Fabulous Fourth!
A Fabulous Fourth!

In the evening, after the parade, people gathered in the Community Square for the Awards Ceremony, and a bit of traditional Ocracoke square dancing accompanied by Molasses Creek. Philip Howard led the dance, teaching the crowd traditional moves like "Dive for the Oyster, Dig for the Clam" and "Wring Your Dishrag," as the sun set on the 4th of July. The jollity (and dancing) continued until 10pm with more live music provided by local band The Ocracoke Rockers. 

Square Dance!
Square Dance!
A Fabulous Fourth!
Rock on, Ocracoke Rockers!
Rock on, Ocracoke Rockers!