March Maddness on the Crystal Coast

03/13/2008

March isn’t just for basketball fans at the Crystal Coast. Between games, you’re sure to find plenty to do all month long! Come down and enjoy with us activities like the Emerald Isle St. Patrick’s Day Festival, Easter Egg Hunts, or build a boat at the NC Maritime Museum.

Emerald Isle St. Patrick’s Day Festival

Saturday, March 15

Winter hibernation is halted by the Emerald Isle St. Patrick’s Day Festival, held on Saturday, March 15 at the Emerald Plantation Shopping Center in Emerald Isle. A great day full of fun and games for the entire family, the event includes corned beef and cabbage, traditional beverages and music. Green is plentiful when it comes to attire and decorations. Sponsored by the Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation Department, the festival supports local craftspeople and civic organizations. It's free and loads of fun for the entire family. Please call 252.354.6350 for more information.

Saturday, March 15

The Swansboro Oyster Roast & Pig Out is an event not to be missed if you enjoy oysters or a pig-pickin'. The good news is, while you’re enjoying all the food and having fun, you are helping the community. The event funds scholarships awarded each year by the Swansboro Rotary civic organization. Don’t miss the all-you-can-eat oysters, flounder, clam chowder, hot dogs or a pig-pickin' with slaw and hushpuppy trimmings with everyone from Swansboro through Emerald Isle and beyond. The event takes place from 5 – 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 15. Please call 910.326.6715 for tickets and more information.

Boat Building

March 15 – 18

Join the pros at the Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center, located across from the NC Maritime Museum building on the waterfront in Downtown Beaufort, and build a boat in a day! Contact the museum for details. Class times are from 9 am – 5:30 pm or 6 – 9:30pm on March 15-18.

"Get Hooked" Fishing School

Saturday, March 15

The NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores will offer a fishing school including demonstrations, your choice of four instructional sessions, catered lunch and raffles. The fishing school is $35 per person. Please call 252.247.4003 to register and for more information. The fishing school will last from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Easter Egg Hunts

Saturday, March 22

Join in on the fun Saturday, March 22 at the Beaufort Historic Site, Turner Street, at 11 am with an Easter basket in search of many hidden eggs! There will be prizes, refreshments, and lots of eggs to find – call 252.728.5225 for more information. At 2pm head down to the Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation Department and join the Emerald Isle Bunny in his search for the prize eggs! Hunting is free at both Easter Egg Hunts; just remember to bring a basket! For more information regarding the Emerald Isle hunt, please call 252.354.6350.

Portsmouth Island Homecoming

Saturday, March 29

On March 29, the Portsmouth Island Homecoming will take place on Portsmouth Island. This heritage event takes place every other year and celebrates the history of Portsmouth Village on the Core Banks. Now a Historic District of the Cape Lookout National Seashore, Portsmouth Island is just south of the Ocracoke Inlet. Access is only by boat and the event provides a unique look at early island life. Friends and descendants of island residents get together for an old-fashioned church homecoming and dinner on the grounds. Call 252.728.2250 for details.

Lunch with a Dash of History

Friday Afternoons at Noon

The popular "Lunch with a Dash of History" series with storyteller Rodney Kemp is held at noon on Fridays at the History Place in downtown Morehead City. Tickets are $9 for lunch and $4 without lunch. March topics include Gloucester / Straits Revisited and Capt. Matthew Gooding and the WBTS. Please call 252.247.7533 for more details.