EmeraldFest, SwanFest Bring Coastal Carolina Fun Through Summer

Summer is full of great weather, great food, great friends and great music— most of which you can find at the local EmeraldFest and SwanFest events in Emerald Isle and Swansboro, respectively, through the end of the season.

EmeraldFest

EmeraldFest is Emerald Isle's outdoor concert series that kicked off in mid-June and will continue through the end of August. Every Thursday from 6:30 to 8 PM, EmeraldFest offers Crystal Coast visitors and residents alike the chance to enjoy great music and coastal scenery. Held at the Western Ocean Regional Access Facility (off Islander Drive, 1 block east of Coast Guard Road intersection), EmeraldFest will feature the following performances yet this summer:

July 24: Redneck Juliets (Country)

July 31: Dependable Taxi (Pop/Alternative)

August 7: Wild Honey (Blues/Country/Rock)

August 14: Scearce & Ketner (Seagrass)

August 21: Big Drink (Acoustic/Rock)

SwanFest

This ongoing event is held on Sundays from 6:30 to 8 PM in downtown Swansboro and put on by the Seaside Arts Council. Visitors are encouraged to bring a lawn chair to the Pavilion at Olde Town Square in Swansboro, NC to see the following performances, ranging from local artists to Nashville recording stars:

July 27: Justin Castellano (Eclectic)

August 3: Andy & Kathryn Karg (Lover's Harmony)

August 10: Aqoostix (Eclectic & Eccentric)

August 17: Big Drink (Acoustic/Rock)

August 24: Beaucoup Blue (Blues)

August 31: Acoustic Hwy (Country/Rock)

September 7: Unknown Tongues (Zydeco)

September 14: Scearce & Ketner (Seagrass)

Looking for more recommendations on how to enjoy the summer on North Carolina's Crystal Coast? Contact us today! We're happy to assist you with everything from buying and selling homes in Atlantic Beach, Beaufort, Morehead City, Havelock, Newport to sharing local activities.

Gena Gilbert

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Earth Day on North Carolina's Crystal Coast

Earth Day is a great time to celebrate living a cleaner, greener lifestyle and make the switch to options better suited for our environment. The following events are happening in the Crystal Coast area for you to participate and pledge your help to making the world a better place— even if you only start with planting a few flowers.

Explore Rachel Carson Reserve

Friday, April 19, 2013

9:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Take part in a hike through the varying habitats on Town Marsh and Bird Shoal led by the NC Maritime Museum. Reservations are required and the event is priced at $15. For more information, visit ncmaritimemuseum.org. 

Crystal Coast Earth Day Festival
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Fort Macon State Park in Atlantic Beach
10 AM - 3 PM
This FREE event is your chance to get close to marine creatures like whelks and sea stars with a touch tank, meet rescued wildlife, make coastal North Carolina crafts, and learn more ways you can help protect the environment. Come join Cape Lookout National Seashore and other environmental educators for this Earth Day celebration that will be fun for the whole family.

Other Earth Day Activities:

Cape Lookout National Seashore
A boat ride just three miles offshore brings you to the islands of Cape Lookout National Seashore. Experience the environment by horse watching, shelling, fishing, or birding— notice how your lifestyle can affect the animals in their habitats.

North Carolina Aquariums
Open 9 AM - 5 PM
Adults $8, Children $6
There are 4 North Carolina aquariums you can visit on Earth Day— Roanoke Island, Pine Knoll Shores, and Fort Fisher, and Jennette's Pier. Take a look inside their marine environments and learn how we can help take better care of them.

Fort Macon State Park
Your local parks are great places to spend Earth Day. Grab a few friends and help pick up any litter you see or simply enjoy their beauty on a special holiday to celebrate their future.

Gena Gilbert

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Coastal Carolina St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations

St. Patrick’s Day is this weekend and where better to celebrate the occasion than along the Crystal Coast of North Carolina? The Emerald Isle is the perfect place to don your green attire and indulge in the traditional Irish meal of corned beef and cabbage. Below are a list of events in the area for you to attend this weekend. Know of any more? Be sure to let me know which you love most!  

Emerald Isle St. Patrick’s Festival

March 16th, 9 AM-5 PM

Emerald Plantation Shopping Center

Admission and parking are FREE for this festival sponsored by the Emerald Isle Business Association. With over 75 arts and crafts vendors, amusement rides, face painting, and food (corned beef and cabbage, shrimp burgers, hot dogs, hamburgers, Mediterranean cuisine, BBQ, funnel cakes, fried peanuts, cotton candy, and even a beer garden), you will not want to miss this Irish-inspired local event in Emerald Isle, NC. Also, starting at 11 AM is this Little Mr. and Ms. Leprechaun Contest where children ages 2-3 and 4-5 are judged on the creativity of their costume and stage presentation.

1st Annual Shamrock Run

March 16th, Registration begins at 8 AM at First Citizens Bank (Corner of Turner and Front Streets); Race on the Beaufort Waterfront at 9 AM

This race includes a 5K and 1 mile distances with all proceeds going to aid the Carteret County Domestic Violence Shelter. Entry fees: $15 for adults, $7 children 6-13, FREE for children under 5. Special pricing of $40 for families of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids under 13).

Kelly's Running of the Leprechauns and 24th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade

March 16th and 17th

Nags Head, NC

Saturday begins the Running of the Leprechauns race with an 8K/5 mile course complete with road and trail. On Sunday, come watch the largest St. Patrick's Day Parade in North Carolina as it travels along the greenest mile in the Tarheel state. With over 10,000 spectators in attendance and 1,500 participants including floats and marching bands, live music, and more. Parade begins at 1 PM rain or shine and travels along the NC 12 beach road in Nags Head between mileposts 10.25 and 11.25. 

Gena Gilbert

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