Southport Magazine

Spring is coming (finally!), and Oak Island is embracing it in a big way. The Town of Oak Island Recreation Department has been hard at work developing events and programs that allow us to have fun, celebrate community and the season, and still, keep us safe in the Time of Covid. With a parade, markets, concerts, Easter-themed hunts, and even a Very Special Bunny making visits all around the town, Oak Island is looking forward to a fun Spring. 

First up will be the Oak Island Mardi Gras By The Sea, featuring a parade, market and live music on Saturday, March 13. The parade will be a reverse affair like the Christmas by the Sea Parade this past December. Mardi Gras themed floats, stands, golf carts and such will line up along Dolphin Drive while parade goers drive past starting at SE 40th Street. Walking is not permitted and parade viewers must remain in their vehicles, but everyone is encouraged to dress in their Mardi Gras finest! 

The Mardi Gras Market featuring locally grown and handmade items from local vendors will be open from noon until 4 pm on the Middleton Park fields. During the market, the Oak Island Amphitheater in Middleton Park will host live Blues and Soul music. Socially distanced circles will be painted on the lawn and spectators are asked to kick back inside the circles and not fill in the space in between. If all circles are filled, please wait for one to open up. 

In addition to the socially distant circles, COVID protocols in place during the market include hand washing stations, one-way traffic at the parade and market, one shopper at a time in any vendor booth, social distancing picnic circles, social distancing signage, and the use of marks covering the nose and mouth by staff, vendors, and participants. Anyone who is feeling ill, or is experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms is asked to remain at home until they are well. Individuals who fail to adhere to community safety standards may be asked to leave the celebrations by the Mardi Gras by the Sea Supervisor or the Oak Island Recreation Department Director.

Once Mardi Gras is behind us, it’s time for the Easter Bunny to do his thing! The Town of Oak Island has three ways to bring a little Easter Bunny to your celebration. The Great Oak Island Egg Dash will see the Easter Bunny delivering crafts and Easter eggs to front yards all over Oak Island. The program is designed for children from 2-10 years old and participants must register with the Oak Island Recreation Center by March 24. Spaces are limited and houses will be assigned a delivery time between 4-6 pm on on either March 30, March 31 or April 1. The cost is $5 per child. Yards must be safe for staff and pets must be secured. The Easter Bunny will not have physical contact with participants, but photos from a distance are welcome. All participants must wear a mask over mouth and nose during photos.

Another option is the Take Home Contactless Egg Hunt. Children ages 2-12 are invited to register by March 24 to pick up a bag of toy-filled eggs at the Recreation Center as the Easter Bunny waves from a safe distance. Participants are asked to remain in their vehicles at all times as staff delivers egg kits to the car. Cost is $5 per child. 

Easter Bunny fans of any age can participate in the free Drive By Bunny program on March 30 and 31 between 10 am and noon. Sign up your house, street, even your friends, to have the easter Bunny and Friends party their way through your neighborhood as they slowly drive down your road spreading seasonal cheer. 

The Great Easter Scavenger Hunt on Oak Island is a free event open to all ages and will lead participants all over the Town of Oak Island searching for clues. Teams will drive through the Recreation Center parking lot to pick up a packet including a list of scavenger hunt rules, a clue sheet and the first clue on Thursday, April 1 from 9 am-6 pm. The hunt begins April 3. Teams will visit each site, and uncover the hidden clues along the way. Clues will be laminated, and fixed at each site. Teams will complete each challenge, and take a picture with the clue, before proceeding to the next phase of the scavenger hunt (CLUES WILL REMAIN AT THEIR LOCATIONS). Once a team has completed their scavenger hunt, they will return to the Oak Island Recreation Center, and turn in their clue sheet to receive their completion certificate and Easter-themed prizes!

Also on Easter Weekend, the Town of Oak Island will host the Spring Fling Market and Music in Middleton Park. Support local Brunswick County craft and food vendors while exploring a market brimming with one-of-a-kind coastal crafts for the ideal seasonal souvenir. Live entertainment will kick off from 2-4 pm at the Middleton Amphitheater for the perfect picnic lunch in one of the park’s designated socially distant picnic circles in the front of the amphitheater. Spectators are asked to only set up inside the social distancing circles and to not fill in the spaces in between; as the Town of Oak Island strives to provide safe spaces for all event goers. Should all circles be filled, please wait until one is available to set up chairs and picnic blankets.