Farmdog Top Five: Spring Events on the Outer Banks
Our little sandbar is thawing out and coming back to life after a particularly chilly winter (it snowed twice!) With more and more events popping up on the Spring calendar each year, here are our top five picks to welcome the season.
Art From The Edge- April 17 through May 11, 2025
In 1975, Carolista Baum stood bravely in front of a bulldozer set to develop the dunes and set in motion a community effort to turn Jockey’s Ridge into a beloved North Carolina state park. Come celebrate this beautiful landmark with this kick-off event!
In honor of the 50th anniversary celebration of Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Nags Head, the Friends of Jockey’s Ridge present “Art From The Edge, An Art Exhibit at Jockey’s Ridge State Park.” The Opening Reception will be held Thursday, April 17th at 6pm in the Community Room of the park’s Visitor Center at 300 W Carolista Drive in Nags Head.
The exhibit will be on display through May 11, 2025 and is free and open to the public. All art will be for sale with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Friends of Jockey’s Ridge and their education and preservation efforts.
Soundside Easter Market- April 19, 2025
Come shop local vendors, fresh produce, sample tasty eats and treats, facepaint for the kids, and live music at the Soundside Event Site in Nags Head from Noon to 4pm, located at 6800 S Croatan Hwy in Nags Head.
Stunning views of the Sound surround this open air venue for a gorgeous afternoon out. After this Spring kickoff, the Summer Market series will run June 18-Aug 20th on Wednesdays from 9am-1pm.
Coastal Gardening Festival- May 3, 2025
Held on the grounds of the Baum Center in Kill Devil Hills from 9am-2pm, presented by the Dare County Extension Master Gardeners:
“Join us for a beautiful day of plant sales, vendors, bake sale, education, kids’ activities and FUN! Our vast plant sale will feature thousands of plants grown by Master Gardeners on the Outer Banks, these plants are more hopeful to thrive and survive in our coastal area!”
The festival will feature a Bake Sale, 50/50 raffle, and 30+ artisan and non-profit vendors. Plus, get all your planting and pruning questions answered at the Ask a Master Gardener tent! Event is held Rain or Shine.
28th Annual Mollie Fearing Memorial Art Show- May 4th through May 31st
From Dare Arts: “The 28th Annual Mollie Fearing Memorial Art Show, known for showcasing vibrant, eclectic artwork, will open at the Dare Arts Gallery in downtown Manteo with a special reception at 2pm on Sunday, May 4. The reception is free and open to the public.
In 1975 a group of citizens gathered at Mollie A. Fearing’s house and started a nonprofit, originally called the Sea and Sounds Arts Council, to bring cultural arts programming to Dare County, and Mollie was its first president.
50 years later, Dare Arts is proud to announce a call for entry for the 28th Annual Mollie Fearing Memorial Art Show, which celebrates Mollie’s life and her vision to support the arts in our community.”
The show will be on display in Dare Arts Courtroom Gallery during normal gallery hours from May 6 through May 31. Hours are Tuesday-Friday 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am-4pm
KidsFest 2025- May 9th, 2025
Presented by the Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County, the 16th Annual KidsFest will be held at Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo on Friday, May 9th from 9:30a.m.-12:30p.m. A Free event for a fun day out with the kiddos!
CYP says: “Come out and celebrate 16 years of this exciting outreach festival for young children (activities are geared toward children ages birth-five), parents, grandparents, and child care programs! It will be a morning of fun and games, music, play activities, entertainment, exploration, and art as we celebrate young children throughout Dare County!”
Bubbles, costumed characters, emergency vehicles, arts & crafts and more!
