Here is a quick update. For everyone who has been calling me, the Emerald Isle, NC July 4, 2011 fireworks display will occur this year off the Bogue Inlet Pier at 9PM Monday night. If you’re leaving the Crystal Coast Sunday, it’s a shame as you’ll miss the sight of the fireworks being launched over the Atlantic Ocean.

Shoot and Tell!

If you happen to take any photos of the 4th of July fireworks celebration in Emerald Isle (like the one to the right that I took several years ago), be sure to email me those photos to info@crystalcoastblog.com and I’ll post your photos here on the Crystal Coast Blog for all to see!

Everyone have a safe and enjoyable 4th of July 2011!

Bobby – Your Crystal Coast Blogger!

The town of Emerald Isle has just announced the 2011 4th of July fireworks display will return to the Bogue Inlet fishing pier. After a two year absence, the town agreed to renew it’s partnership with the Bogue Inlet Fishing pier.

The 4th of July Emerald Isle Fireworks Launching Pad?

Which launch pad do you prefer for the Emerald Isle 4th of July fireworks display? The Bogue Inlet pier or the location at the McLean Park near mile marker 18 in Emerald Isle? Leave a comment and cast your vote?

If you are wondering if the town of Emerald Isle will be launching it’s 4th of July fireworks display from the Bogue Inlet Pier, you can only hope it happens in 2010. Apparently, there are sign ordinance issues between the pier and the town of Emerald Isle that prevents the Bogue Inlet Pier from serving as the launching pad for this year’s Independence Day fireworks display.

Where will the Town of Emerald Isle Host It’s 2009 Fireworks Display?

Sources now report the town of Emerald Isle’s Fourth of July Celebration will light up the night at McLean Park near mile marker 18 in Emerald Isle. For more details be sure to dial 252-354-6350.

New Crystal Coast Photo Blog!

If you happen to snap a great Emerald Isle 4th of July photo, I would love to see it and share it with the thousands of readers who stop by my new Crystal Coast Photo Blog.

Drop me an email at info@crystalcoastblog.com and I’ll share your photos for all to see.

10 Tips to Making Your Crystal Coast Vacation More Affordable

If you have a job and your finances are such that you can afford a vacation to Emerald Isle (or any of our other beautiful NC beach towns), how can you make your trip to the NC coast more affordable? Here are a few tips to help make your Crystal Coast vacation go easier on your wallet:

1. Stay Away From the Ocean: As in oceanfront rentals. Many vacationers love renting NC beach homes on the oceanfront. Opt for more affordable rentals on the second row or maybe even several streets off the oceanfront and you’ll realize significant savings. Plus, beach access points are conveniently located all along the Crystal Coast and make it easy to reach the beach from almost anywhere on the island.
2. Shorten Your Stay: Instead of a two week vacation, make it for one week.
3. Dine in More Often: When you do come, be frugal and eat in more often. Now this doesn’t have to mean more time in the kitchen for the family chef. Many Crystal Coast rental properties provide a grill and many of the Emerald Isle condos offer picnic and grilling stations. Then plan one or two special “go out to eat nights” to spice up your stay. Don’t forget to grab any of the many local magazines that offer discount coupons for eats and activities. You’ll find them everywhere on the Crystal Coast.
4. Be Free: As in come to the Crystal Coast when special “FREE” local events are scheduled making your trip more affordable.
5. Maximize Your NC Beach Trip: Make it a real family affair. Hang out more at your rental and play board games, have special craft times using our local resources like shells and sand. Plan fewer costly activities that can ding the pocketbook.
6. Downsize: Select a smaller Emerald Isle beach house or Emerald isle condo for your stay.
7. GO BIG: Invite many friends and relatives to come stay and share the cost.
8. The Beach Layaway Plan: Well that might be a stretch but some Crystal Coast vacation rental agencies are allowing their renters to set up a payment plan for deposits and rentals.
9. Fall Back or Spring Ahead: Instead of paying for the peak summer rental season, maybe consider scheduling your Emerald Isle vacation for the spring or the fall months. These rental seasons are called ‘the shoulder months” and they offer consider savings over the prime summer months.
10. Do It Yourself Vacation: Instead of splurging on options like renting sheets, towels, and beach chairs, bring your own. Another popular option is to bring your bikes. With the great bike paths in Emerald Isle, you and your family can easily reach almost any short distance destination people could normally reach by car.

These money saving tips are sure to make a big impact on your vacation budget. Let me know which one you think is your favorite. If I missed a money saving tip, feel free to add yours to the list.

Helping you save more on your Crystal Coast vacation,

Bobby Carroll – Your Crystal Coast Blogger

Related Crystal Coast Blog Post

Are You Waiting for Sweeter Deals to Book Your Crystal Coast Vacation? It’s been 9 months since I originally asked this question in a post I wrote May 18th 2008. The problem is we are still asking the same question in 2009.

As I sit in our warm North Carolina home, surrounded by family who enjoy excellent health, I am completely overwhelmed by just how wonderfully blessed we are. We give thanks today for the wonderful gift of the birth of Christ. We also give thanks for the gift of family, friends and our extended friends scattered everywhere who are a part of our lives on so many levels.

Here is Our Christmas Wish for You!

May you enjoy this special day and experience the wonder of the season in your heart. Please take a moment to say a prayer for our special men and women who bravely serve our country who are stationed around the world. To these courageous members of our armed forces we send a special holiday “Season’s Greeting”. We pray God’s grace over you and look forward to your safe return to your loved ones!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Bobby & Pam Carroll

Your Crystal Coast of North Carolina Bloggers

In case you haven’t heard about this Crystal Coast family event, the Annual Carolina Kite Fest is scheduled for this upcoming weekend on the dates of October 25-26. The 21st Annual Carolina Kite Fest will be held at the Sheraton Atlantic Beach Hotel.

Hours of the Annual Atlantic Beach Kite Fest Event

10:00am – 5:00pm Both Days
Saturday – 8:00pm Night Fly

On the Kite Fest Calendar

• Kites from Around the World
• Candy Drops for the kids
• Kite Building for Kids
• Team Flying

Planned Mass Ascensions Include

• Dragons
• Soft Kites
• Facets/Boxes
• Deltas
• Flat and Bowed
• Sky Skimmers

Kites Unlimited of Atlantic Beach – Your Main Organizer

Organized by Kites Unlimited of Atlantic Beach, the entire event is dependent on volunteer efforts. For more information, call Kites Unlimited at 252-247-7011.

Are You Planning to be at The Atlantic Beach Carolina Kite Fest?

If so, don’t forget to bring your camera as the skies of Atlantic Beach will be filled with colorful kites of all shapes and sizes.

See you there,

Bobby

The 54th edition of Swansboro’s Mullet Festival got off to a soggy start on Saturday with dreary weather ruling the day. Even Saturday’s night events had to be canceled. Improved weather conditions greeted festival attendees on Sunday.

No – We Don’t Pay Homage to a Bad 80′s Haircut!

For my faithful readers who are not from around North Carolina’s Crystal Coast communities, no the folks in Swansboro, NC do not pay homage to the 1980′s “mullet” haircut with an annual festival. A “mullet” is a fish.

Stop Moving and You’ll be FRIED!

By 10:00am many of the food vendors had fired up the grease in preparations for doling out massive quantities of fried funnel cakes, fried blooming onions, french fried potatoes and fried fish (mullet and whiting). Please pass the fried okra. Where is my Lipitor? :>)

Where’s the Mullet Stew at the Mullet Festival?

Boy, this event was screaming for something unique and different to eat. I kept expecting to find something new at this year’s  event. Why hadn’t the menu expanded to include maybe a “Cajun Mullet Sandwich” or maybe a “Grilled Mullet Fillet”, or how about a “Mullet Stew”. Now that would have been sumptuous for Saturday’s dreary weather.

The Mullet is the Rodney Dangerfield of Fish

Obviously, the poor Mullet just doesn’t get the respect it use to (if it ever received any respect at all  – although they do host a festival in its honor!). Could it be that the Mullet as a “delectable delicacy” really is overrated? Obviously those frying up the Mullets thought so. The Swansboro Rotary Club even offended the Mullet by offering a “whiting” fish plate as an alternative to the poor Mullet. Me thinks the Mullet is the Rodney Dangerfield of fried fish.

Interesting Blend of Vendors at the Mullet Festival

I did enjoy the bar-b-que sandwich and a plate of fried fish. Later in the day as temperatures began to rise the big hit was the Hawaiian shave ice. Even the vendor was from Oahu and I noted he used the same shave ice machine the local Hawaiians used to make shave ice on the island of Maui. There were ample things to do for the children and the assortment of craft vendors made the festival interesting. Pam even purchased gifts for the children and grandchildren. Of course, we had to buy a couple of Mullet Festival tee-shirts to celebrate the occasion.

What’s Your Mullet Festival Favorite?

Be sure to leave your comment. I would love to read your Mullet Festival favorites.

Until my next post,

Bobby

Annual Crystal Coast Seafood Festival is a Big Hit!

There was no hint of a financial downturn judging from the throng that filled the Morehead City waterfront for this years’ 2008 Seafood Festival. Beautiful fall weather greeted a shoulder to shoulder crowd. Great aromas filled the sun-drenched air as the throng munched on a smorgasbord of delicious foods. A crowd favorite was shrimp on the bar-bee along with the usual fair of elephant ears and roasted corn. The kids stood in line for their favorite carnival rides and moms and dads armed with video and digital camera’s snapped memorable photos.

2nd Largest Festival in NC

Proclaimed the 2nd largest festival in North Carolina, this years’ 22nd edition featured over 150 arts and crafts vendors and 4 primary stages for talent.

What Was Your Seafood Festival Favorite?

Was it the delicious samples of seafood, the outstanding entertainment or the rides? Tell everyone what you enjoyed most about this years’ 2008 North Carolina Seafood Festival.

Until my next post,

Bobby

Photos from the 2008 edition of the North Carolina Seafood Festival

Good news! Tropical Storm Hannah was actually no worse than a strong Northeaster as they say here on the Crystal Coast and everyone weathered the storm with little fanfare. The storm did develop some pretty serious rip currents and the local surfers took advantage of the high surf otherwise damage was minimal.

Future Weather Updates from the Crystal Coast!

Stay tuned to the Crystal Coast Blog for more updates on tropical storms and hurricane advisories for the remainder of this hurricane season.

Did your Crystal Coast Property Experience any Damage?

While I’ve heard of no real property damage to speak of, did your Emerald Isle, Salter Path, Indian Beach, Pine Knoll Shores or Atlantic Beach home experience any damage? Be sure to leave a comment and let us know.

Stay safe,

Bobby

Crowds Flock to Emerald Isle to Celebrate Our Nation’s Birthday

In spite of $4 a gallon gas, large crowds gathered at the Crystal Coast town of Emerald Isle. The beaches were jammed, the DQ was filled with those seeking to satisfy their sweet tooth (hats off to Glenn’s team!) and the restaurants had long lines with equally long wait times (Jordan’s Seafood was awesome Saturday night-we did takeout!). Everyone (locals and vacationers) seem to accept the long lines and enjoy this 4th of July holiday.

Fireworks All Along the Shores of the Crystal Coast!

Of course, you would expect thousands to pack the beach in Emerald Isle to watch fireworks launched from the Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier and they did. No one was disappointed as the display went off without a hitch. Even the visitors and home owners along the beach joined in the celebration setting off their own aerial display to the delight of all. The weather was ideal with clear balmy breezes. The Friday night air was heavy with exploding works of art all up and down the beach.

A Holiday Weekend to Remember!

One of the wonderful aspects to a quick get-away to the NC Coast is the interesting people you meet for the first time and getting reacquainted with those you may have seen years ago. Even the kids got in on the action making instant new friends. Our five year old grandson Taylor bonded with many new playmates along the Emerald Isle shores including Jackson and Campbell from Durham. For all of us, this truly was a memorable 4th of July!

Now it’s Your Turn!

What was a highlight of your 2008 4th of July?

Until my next post,

Bobby