2014 Outer Banks Wedding Expo

The Outer Banks of North Carolina has become one of the country’s top destinations for weddings.For some people, the experience of getting hitched on the Outer Banks is a special event knotted with a playful vacation for family and friends.For others, it is a dream wedding on one of our many beautiful beaches, at a sound-side home, or spotted near a favorite lighthouse or historic attraction.

Literally thousands of people say their vows on North Carolina’s Outer Banks every year.For this reason, the annual Outer Banks Wedding Association Expo Wedding Weekend has become a highlight for all OBX brides.

Wedding Tour

Grab your mom, sister, or best friend and join the Outer Banks Wedding Association for their Wedding Tour on Saturday, January 18, 2014.You’ll explore all they have to offer for your OBX destination wedding, including venues, wedding vendors, restaurants (and sample food items), hospitality, and entertainment available across the Outer Banks.The tour is available during the day from 10am until 3pm or 6pm until 9pm.The evening session is a new addition this year, and it aims to give brides insight of venue locations at night.The tour will convene once again on Sunday from 10am until 3pm for any brides that may have missed something the day prior.

Two-Day Wedding Expo

The Expo, held on Sunday, January 19,2014, is the highlight event for the Outer Banks Wedding Association each year.They call it their “crowning achievement.”All of their vendors put their best foot forward in an effort to showcase their talents and make you feel welcome.You finally get a chance to meet your potential vendors face-to-face and experience all of their specialties.  The Expo also has excellent opportunitiesforyou to win prizes.You will have the chance to register to win prizes ranging from individual vendor giveaways to one of the Outer Banks Wedding Association’s Amazing Dream Giveaways.

Wedding Giveaways and Dream Wedding Giveaway

This year three lucky brides will take home a giveaway, complete with accommodations and prize packages.

1.      Dream Engagement Weekend in Nags Head, NC, April 11-13, 2014

What couple wouldn’t want to celebrate their engagement at the beach?One lucky couple will enjoy a weekend at The First Colony Inn in Nags Head, a dinner for two at Ocean Boulevard, and an engagement portrait session shot by Sarah D’ Ambra Photography at the spot of their choosing.

2.      Dream Wedding in Corolla, August 13, 2014

Corolla’s contemporary and luxurious atmosphere sets the backdrop for this year’s Dream Wedding at the magnificent Whalehead in Corolla.The venue, with its acres of pedicured lawn and breathtaking waterfront views of the Currituck Sound and sunsets, is idyllic and splendid.Every aspect of the wedding is covered by the best vendors that the Outer Banks has to offer.

3.      Dream Honeymoon in Manteo, September 15-17, 2014

The quaint town of Manteo offers complete romance for a couplein post-weddingbliss.  This lucky couple will enjoy a weekend at the Oasis Suites’ honeymoon suite and treated to tasteful goodies from Outer Banks vendors as well as two delightful dinners at some of Manteo’s favorites.  To top the weekend off, the couple will also be treated to a couples massage by Its Royality.

This is an incredible opportunity to explore all that’s available to you for your OBX wedding.  Attack your to-do list and knock a few things off, then simply breathe.This event is intended to maximize your productivity and give you exceptional access to the vendors here to serve you.  Once it’s all over, take a moment to relax and take in these special moments.It is but a season, and it should be cherished.

For complete details on the event, visit the Outer Banks Wedding Association website.Registration is now open.

If you’re traveling to the Outer Banks for the Expo and still searching for a place to stay, Atlantic Reality can assist you.Please call us at 877-858-4795 or visit our website for a complete listing of our incredible vacation rentals as well as rates and availability.

For more Contact:

Atlantic Realty of the Outer Banks Inc.
4729 N. Croatan Hwy.
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949 USA
Phone    (877) 858-4795
http://www.atlanticrealty-nc.com

    

Outer Banks Holiday Events for Everyone

Starting this Friday, the holidays truly get underway on the Outer Banks with tons of events and activities from Corolla all the way down to Hatteras Island.  .  Here are just a few of the highlights of the Outer Banks holiday events for everyone taking place throughout December.  

The Town of Manteo Christmas Tree Lighting, Friday, December 6, 6pm

 The Town of Manteo kicks off the holiday season with the Grand Illumination of the town’s tree on Queen Elizabeth Street in front of the historic courthouse.From there, the entire downtown waterfront area will look like a winter wonderland with holiday productions for people of all ages.  And, yes, Santa will be there for all of the festivities.  The high school choirs from Manteo and First Flight High Schools as well as the Manteo Elementary School will perform holiday carols that create the epitome of the Christmas spirit.  This is a fun evening for everyone.  

The Town of Manteo Christmas Parade, December 7, 10:30am

What would the holidays be without a Christmas parade?  The Big Little Town Christmas Parade starts at 10:30 at Manteo High School.  Following the parade, Santa will be at the Roanoke Island Maritime Museum for pictures with kids and to listen to their lists (parents, please pay attention!).  Prior to the parade, there are pre-show activities planned in front of the Court House. 

Great White Fishmas, December 7, 5:30-7:30pm

The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island is the place to be this Saturday night when Santa and the reindeer are on hand for a fun evening.  With an aquatic spin on the traditional holiday activities, if the guests play their cards right, they may catch a glimpse of Santa scuba diving with the huge fish at the Aquarium’s Graveyard of the Atlantic exhibit.  Additionally, when he is out of the water, kids can talk to their favorite toy maker about what they want.  Mrs. Claus will also be there to help decorate cookies and make holiday crafts.  Families will also be able to write a letter to Santa, enjoy holiday music, and be amazed at the Aquarium decorations.  Open to all ages, tickets cost $15 per person or $13.50 rate for North Carolina Aquarium members.  And, if you buy them before December 4 at 5pm, the Early Elf rate is only $10 per person.  We strongly recommend buying tickets ahead of time as there are a limited number of tickets available.  Oh, children must be accompanied by a paying adult. This is the first year for Great White Fishmas and is sure to be a favorite event that everyone loves.  

Christmas in Corolla, Whalehead Club, Now through December 28, 10am – 9pm

The Whalehead Club comes alive at Christmastime.  The historic home is decorated with just as the Knight’s did when it was a private home.  There are tours throughout the day and evening for all to see.  Stationed Legacy Tours happen Monday – Saturday, 10am to 5pm and cost $10 per person.  For special holiday candlelight tours, plan your trip for Thursday through Saturday, 6pm to 9pm for $15 per person.  

Holiday Illumination, Currituck Beach Lighthouse, December 6, 5pm

Friday, December 6 seems to be the night to light the trees on the Outer Banks. The northernmost lighthouse is in on the action with its own Holiday Illumination at the lighthouse and Currituck Heritage Park.  Choruses from Water’s Edge Village School and Currituck County High School will perform outside before they head indoors to sing carols accompanied by Mrs. Knight’s sketch Steinway piano.  There is absolutely nothing as wonderful as standing out in the crisp North Carolina sea air with the tree illuminated and the sound of the surf in the distance.  Dress warmly as it gets awfully chilly when the sun sets on the Outer Banks!

Winter Lights Festival, Now – January 4, 2014, Elizabethan Gardens

The Winter Lights Festival at the Elizabethan Gardens is under way.  As one of the grandest displays of sparkling lights and holiday decorations throughout the gardens, this is a must-see for locals and visitors alike.  It is one of the most spectacular events on all of the barrier islands.  Planned events each day throughout the festival make it ideal for everyone in the family.  Even if you get to the OBX late in the season, the Winter Lights Festival goes through the beginning of 2014!

Nothing Like the Holidays on the Outer Banks

This is a fantastic time of year to visit the Outer Banks.  There is so much to do here during the holidays.   Along with tree lightings, tours highlighting the exquisite holiday decorations, and other exciting events on the Outer Banks, vacation rentals are much more affordable during this time of year.    Trust us – there is nothing like the holidays on the Outer Banks.

For more Contact:

Atlantic Realty of the Outer Banks Inc.
4729 N. Croatan Hwy.
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949 USA
Phone    (877) 858-4795
http://www.atlanticrealty-nc.com

    

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge: Red Wolf Reemergence in the Wild

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge (ARNWR)

The ARNWR is a 152,000-acre National Wildlife Refuge located in East Lake, NC that is managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). On March 14, 1984, conservationists established the Refuge to preserve and protect its unique wetland habitat type (pocos in)and the wildlife that inhabits the area.

Habitat

The Refuge’s habitat types include bogs, fresh and brackish water marshes, hardwood swamps, Atlantic White Cedar swamps, and high and low pocos in. Pocos in is a type of “palustrine wetland with deep, acidic, sandy, peat soils.”Groundwater (water beneath the earth's surface, often between saturated soil and rock) soaks the ground except during short, seasonal dry periods and prolonged droughts. (Source: Wikipedia).

Wildlife

Alligator River is one of the last fortresses for the American black bear in eastern North Carolina and along the mid-Atlantic coast. The refuge supports ducks, geese, swans, wading birds, shorebirds, raptors, quail, migrating songbirds, American woodcocks, Red-cockaded woodpeckers,White-tailed deer, raccoons, rabbits, North American river otters, and American alligators. In addition, Alligator River is famous for re-establishing the Red wolf back into the wild.

The Red Wolf

History of Endangerment

The Red wolf population was in danger many years before the Refuge was founded. The Red wolf is native to the southeastern United States. However, this species had been eliminated from its range, except for a small section of its original hunting grounds. By the early 1970s, the FWS had captured the few remaining Red wolves and declared the species extinct in the wildby 1980. Through a captive breeding program, this small Red wolf population was sustained while FWS searched for a suitable habitat where the wolves could be re-established in the wild. Alligator River was just the spot: The wolves could find food and escape people in its immense new territory.

Reemergence Experiment

In 1986, a five-year experiment to rebuild a self-sustaining Red wolf population in the wild began. Naturally, Red wolves soon adapted to life in the wild and continue to roam free in eastern North Carolina today.

Red Wolf "Howling" Tours

From June through August 2013, the Red Wolf Recovery Program hosted 12 howling events. According to their recent blog post, more than 640 people attended these events and helped raise over $3,250, which funds Red wolf conservation efforts.

The Red Wolf Howling Tour begins with a lecture about the Red Wolf. Next, guests travel in a caravan of vehicles to a secluded location deep in the woods of the Refuge. Here, participants howl at the wolves, and, with some luck, the wolves howl back.

Fall 2013 Tours (free, no registration required)

·         Full Moon Howl:November 16, from 5:00-6:30 pm

·         Holiday Howl:December 7, from 5:00-6:30 pm

ARWR Regulations

Review the Refuge regulations, which are available at the ARWR Visitor Center.Keep in mind that camping and fires are prohibited, and it is illegal to litter, cut down trees, or remove certain plants. United States Park Rangers regularly patrol the area to enforce these laws.

For a unique Outer BanksVacation adventure, consider one of the howling tours offered this fall. Contact the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau or FWS for more information.

For more Contact:

Atlantic Realty of the Outer Banks Inc.
4729 N. Croatan Hwy.
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949 USA
Phone    (877) 858-4795
http://www.atlanticrealty-nc.com