Welcome to the 44th Annual Croaker Festival hosted by the beautiful, river side town of Oriental, North Carolina. It seems like just yesterday since we’ve all been together, but the Croaker Crew is already very busy in preparation of the 2024 Croaker Festival activities!

It won’t be long and it will be time to watch the Croaker Pageants, listen to music, laugh, and catch candy at the parade, enjoy the festival food while strolling around the park with the amazing Crafts or heading down the Kids Park.

At the end of the day on Saturday the 6th, the Fireworks Show will go off from the bridge, as so many have before.  Just after sunset, (around 9:00ish) the show will start and you can see it from below the bridge, a boat, or anywhere on shore where the bridge is visible.

We can’t wait to see you! We are excited that you are coming. And we welcome you to the Pamlico County Croaker Festival.  We hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Schedule of Events:

We have a fantastic line up of events this year! Wow – Check out all the activities, wonderful music and more!

Friday July 5th

7:00 am: South Ave. becomes one way
8:00 am: Vendor set up starts
9:00 am: Vendors open their booths as soon as they are set up
12:00 noon: South Street Closes at the Festival grounds
2:00 pm: Croaker Festival Information Booth opens
3:00 – 4:30 pm: Baking Contest drop-off behind Croaker Booth
4:00 pm: 44th Annual Croaker Festival Opening Ceremonies – Lou-Mac Park
4:00 pm: The Pamlico Chorale & The Pamlico Community Band
4:45 pm: Judging for the Baking Contest begins
5:30 pm: Mini & Miss Minnow Pageants followed by Croaker Queen Pageant
7:00 pm: Baking Contest winners announced
7:30 pm: Street Dance: Southern Hellcats

Saturday July 6th

8:15 am: South Street Closes at the Festival grounds
8:30 am: Vendor Booths open
8:30 am: Check-in for Bow to Stern Croakerfest Regatta
9:00 am: Captains Meeting for Bow to Stern Croakerfest Regatta
9:00 am: Parade Line-up at Ragan Road
10:00 am: The Parade! Theme – “Let Freedom Ring!”
11:00 am: First Gun for Bow to Stern Croakerfest Regatta
11:00 am: 2DMAW Marine Corps Band Invited to Perform
11:45 am: Kid’s Park Opens on Mildred Street
12:00 noon: Parade Winners announced – Main Stage
12:00 pm: Music by Patrick Bliss – Main Stage
1:00 pm: Music by Hoff & Finch – Main Stage
3:00 pm: Coloring Contest Pages Due at Croaker Booth
3:00 pm: Music by Mad Fiddler – Main Stage
5:00 pm: Bridge closes for Fireworks
5:00 pm: Music by The Stagger Brothers – Main Stage
6:00 pm: Vendor Booths Close – Kid’s Park Close
6:30 pm: Announcement of Coloring Contest Winners
7:00–9:00 pm: Street Dance – Featured Artist: Heart Stop
9:15 pm (Approx.): Fireworks over the Harbor!!
10:00 pm: Streets Open

Sunday July 7th

8:00 am: Deadline for removal of all Vendor Booths and trash
9:30 am: Community Church Service at Lou-Mac Park

Date: July 5-6, 2024

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