Currituck Wildlife Festival

The anticipation is mounting as the Coinjock Ruritan Club welcomes nature lovers families and outdoor enthusiasts to the 19th Annual Currituck Wildlife Festival taking place on Saturday September 6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday September 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the heart of the county’s breathtaking coastal landscape. This much-loved tradition returns with a vibrant lineup of 45 talented artists activities and educational opportunities for guests of all ages promising a weekend immersed in the wonders of Currituck County’s unique wildlife.

The Currituck Wildlife Festival has grown into one of the region’s premier celebrations of natural heritage wildlife history and community spirit. Drawing visitors and artists from across the state and beyond the festival serves as a dynamic platform for environmental education outdoor recreation art and appreciation of the wild spaces that historically make Currituck County special.

The festival is full of nature’s inspiration featuring dozens of acclaimed regional and national artists. From detailed waterfowl carvings to realistic landscape paintings the exhibition captures the wild beauty of Currituck and the greater Atlantic coast. Guests are invited to meet the artists discuss their process and even take home a piece of original art.

This year marks 19 years of bringing together people who share a passion for wildlife wildlife arts hunting fishing and the preservation of the region’s unique ecosystem. Each year the festival expands its offerings ensuring both returning guests and newcomers discover something fresh and unforgettable. In addition to an incredible silent auction the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education will present a detailed exhibit focused on the festival’s featured artist Patrick Henry O’Neal. O’Neal was born in the fall of 1897 and moved to Coinjock in 1921. He founded the P.H. O’Neal Boatworks on the Coinjock Canal and for over 50 years he built and repaired boats. “He lived his life by the rhythm of what the Sound was doing” said Sharon Meade the center’s curator and public relations liaison. “He was known from Maine to Florida as a very good boat builder and was the place to stop for any kind of repair” she continued.

The center will also be orchestrating a laser duck hunting simulation game that will allow children to explore the wonders of migratory birds.

For over two decades the Currituck Wildlife Festival has fostered a deep connection between residents visitors and the natural world. It serves as a reminder of the importance of conservation education and community engagement in safeguarding the region’s rich resources for future generations. The festival’s proceeds benefit local graduates through scholarship offerings and provide vital support to local community food banks elementary school education programs and the Eastern North Carolina Kids First efforts.

The Wildlife Festival will be held at the Currituck County High School located at 4203 Caratoke Highway in Barco North Carolina. Admission to the festival is $5 per person. Children 12 and under are free. For more information visit coinjockruritanclub.com/events or call 252.312.4433.

Also check out other Festivals in Barco, Arts events in Barco, Exhibitions in Barco.