Big 50th birthday bash planned for Nags Head

Nags Head qualifies for AARP membership this year, but by municipal standards the town is a youngster.

Still, hitting the half-century mark is cause for celebration, and lots of plans are coming together.

Nags Head was actually incorporated for the first time in 1923, following Manteo as Dare’s second municipality. The incorporation lapsed, however, and in 1961, Nags Head began its second incarnation.

The town has created a 50th Anniversary Committee that has set a schedule of events for the next several months.

Things kick off March 20 at the Kelly’s St. Patrick Day Parade. The town’s float and a procession of employees, officials, staff and past dignitaries will lead the parade.

Moving into April, a voluntary art competition will be held at Nags Head Elementary School for each of the school’s seven grades. As many as 70 entries are expected, with a judging to take place on April 15 at the school. Seven winners (one from each grade) will be presented awards at a student assembly on April 20. The winning entries will then be displayed at Glenn Eure’s Ghost Fleet Gallery through May 18, when the exhibit will move to Town Hall.

On May 18, Town Hall will open its doors to the public for a tour from 4 to 7 p.m. of the town’s permanent art collection. One of the most complete selections of local, permanent art on the Outer Banks, this tour is a must for art lovers. The event is free, and a reception with snacks will also be provided. For the entire month of May, docents will be available every Tuesday and Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. to conduct tours of the collection for those who miss the May 18 festivities.

June brings a host of events, with one in particular of importance to those planning vacations to the area.

A carnival is set at the Windmill Point site from June 14 to 18 from 5:30 to 11:30 p.m. It includes the rides, games and foods you would expect from a carnival, as well as local vendors offering arts, crafts and other items.

On June 14, again at the Windmill Point carnival site, the town plans its official celebratory event for the anniversary year. Starting at 10 a.m., there will be an Opening Ceremony, the presentation of the Town gift, the annual Town Lightkeeper ceremony, a birthday cake cutting (and eating!) and a raffle for a homemade quilt entitled “Nags Head Ocean Waves” as well as a custom piece of jewelry from Jewelry By Gail.

June 14 also offers a golf tournament at the Nags Head Golf Links for the benefit of the Community Watch.

If you are still moving about after all that excitement, the night of the June 14 ends in a gala event at Jennette’s Pier in the new meeting facility. The event runs from 6 to 10 p.m., featuring food and music by the band “Old Enough to Know Better.” Only 200 tickets are available.

Commemorative T-shirts, flags, stickers and a cookbook of local recipes entitled “50 Years and Still Cooking” will be available from various merchants and restaurants in Nags Head, as well as at Town Hall and on site at the carnival.

The Voice will run a permanent link to the town’s official event website in our right had columns. We will also post reminders of the events as they are scheduled on our news site as well as our Facebook page.

There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer. The contact is John Ratzenberger, chairman of the 50th Anniversary Committee, (252) 480-0752, (252) 573-9016 or
 JohnRatzenberger@earthlink.net.

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