Core Sound Waterfowl Weekend & Decoy Festival

Where:

Core Sound Museum and Heritage Center
1785 Island Road
Harkers Island, NC 28531

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When:

December 26, 2024 – December 8, 2024

Time:

6:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Core Sound Waterfowl Weekend brings a celebration of waterfowling heritage to the Core Sound Museum and Heritage Center on Harkers Island during the first weekend in December. The Core Sound Decoy Guild also hosts the annual Core Sound Decoy Festival during this same weekend.

This unique celebration brings together dozens of artists, carvers and crafters to showcase their work during the Core Sound Waterfowl Weekend. Throughout the weekend, in addition to the museum filled with artists and crafters, patrons can enjoy unique events, great food, fun entertainment and a fellowship service on Sunday morning.

The Decoy Festival will be hosting decoy exhibits and retriever demonstrations, along with duck calling, loon calling and head whittling competitions. It’s the perfect way to experience the holiday season “Down East.”

This event is fun and family-friendly, so make your way out to Harkers Island for Waterfowl Weekend and the Decoy Festival this December!

Waterfowl Weekend

Our annual celebration of Down East’s traditions beginning Friday evening with the Island’s “Bring Back the Lights” opening night.

Saturday will offer everything from scallop fritters to sweet puppies, artists and carvers, online auction and the next day, Sunday morning church.

Admission

As always, admission is free and everyone is welcome.

Parking

Parking at National Park Service, golf carts will be circling to pick you up
(No cars – except pickup and deliveries – inside the Museum parking lot)
CCATS Shuttle Service will be provided from the school.

Core Sound Chow Down

Friday, December 6th: 5:30 – 9:30 pm

We are welcoming back special guests MOLASSES CREEK to add a touch of Ocracoke traditional music to the night!
Plus a “Tater Pie Tasting” to compete for the 2024 “Best Sweet Potato Pie Down East” award!

Tickets are $35 for members and $45 for non-members.

Each ticket includes four cups of your choice. Food will be served amidst the Christmas lights on the Museum grounds Friday night. Cooks from Down East and neighboring communities will bring:

Several different recipes of stewed shrimp, clam chowder and seafood chowder
Stewed redheads and other wildfowl will be offered
Stewed oysters with dumplings, fish stew with cornbread
Gumbo and Venison Chili will return

The “Core Sound Chow Down” judging will be led by seafood market and restaurant chefs from across eastern NC. Peruse Waterfowl Weekend vendors, along with this year’s Gallery of Trees and the Museum’s new decoy displays.

Decoy Festival Schedule

Saturday, December 7th: 9 am – 5 pm

9:00am – Show Opens
9:00am – Carving Competition Registration, NCWRC Safari Trailer
10:00am – Competition Judging
11:00am – Retriever Demonstration
2:00pm – Retriever Demonstration
5:00pm – Show Closes

Sunday, December 8th: 10 am – 4 pm

10:00am – Show Opens – YOUTH DAY!!
10:00am – Competition Judging
10:00am –NCWRC Safari Trailer
1:00pm – Head Carving Contest
1:00pm – Retriever Demonstration
3:00pm – Youth Prize Drawing (ages 6-17)
3:30pm – Awards Presentation, announce 2024 Featured Carver/bird, and raffle drawing winners for the Shotgun, Decoy, and Print.

Located at Harkers Island Elementary School, 1163 Island Rd, Harkers Island, NC

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Event dates and information are subject to change without notice. Please visit the official event website for more information.

Core Sound Waterfowl Weekend & Decoy Festival