According to both Hyde and Dare County fire marshals, a specific forecast for Ocracoke gives a 90% chance of thunderstorms and high winds Wednesday (July 2) into Thursday. “For the safety of our residents and visitors of Ocracoke, we made the decision to cancel the fireworks show,” said Albert O’Neal, Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department (OVFD) chief. “It’s disappointing, but we feel that given the high probability of a storm, this was the best option.”

The decision to cancel was made after a meeting among staff of the National Park Service, the OVFD, the Ocracoke Civic & Business Association, and Hyde County. A decision has not yet been made to reschedule the fireworks later this year.

Dare County Fire Marshal Steve Kovacs shared the Ocracoke specific forecast, which says an approaching front is expected to stall across eastern N.C. on Wednesday, with showers and thunderstorms likely, strong wind gusts greater than 40 mph are possible.

The rest of the July 4 activities will continue as planned.

Thursday, July 3

4 pm. Fundraising Fish Fry for the OPS. Island Inn Commons, 4 pm.

7 to 8:30 pm Old fashioned Ocracoke Square Dance in the Berkley Barn with Molasses Creek. Charge at the door: $5 for adults 13 and over.

Thursday, July 4

9:30 am – Noon: 44th Annual Sand Sculpture Contest at the NPS Lifeguard Beach.

10 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 to 4:30pm: Ocracoke Lighthouse open for viewing the inside. No climbing.

4 pm: Independence Day Parade. (No theme this year)

All are welcome to enter the parade to vie for Best Walk & Roll, Best Wheels, Best Float, Best Theme, and Best in Show. No political themes/messages allowed.

Sign-up starts at 3 p.m. at Old Beach Road and Irvin Garrish Hwy. The line-up also starts there at 3:30 p.m. The Parade ends at the NPS parking lot.

5:30 pm Awards presentation for Parade & Sculpture Contest winners at Books to Be Red yard.

6 pm: Fundraising cookout at the Ocracoke United Methodist Church

7 to 10 pm: Community Beach Fire under the Stars at the Ocracoke Day Use Area/NPS Lifeguard Beach. BYO beach blankets, chairs, marshmallows, and roasting sticks.

Stay tuned to Hyde County Public Information and OCBA Facebook pages for further updates.