• This is a past event. We will update next upcoming event details as soon as they are available.

Initially started more than 45 years ago as a fundraiser for the Newport development center, the annual Newport Pig Cooking Contest has grown into one of the largest whole hog BBQ contests in the country, with plenty of ways for barbecue pros and everyday visitors alike to join in the fun. Held in the heart of Newport, and attracting visitors from all over the state and beyond year after year, this event is a great opportunity for BBQ fans of all ages to appease an appetite with plenty of great food and fun to go around.

Admission and parking are both free for all attendees, and once at the site, patrons will find plenty of amusement park style rides for the kids, arts and craft vendors, concession stands, bake sales, live music, and much more to keep folks entertained throughout the day. The big draw, of course, is the whole hog barbecue, and plates are just a modest fee per person for visitors who want to satisfy a big appetite. Held over the course of two days, and attracting barbecue fans from all over the region, the Newport Pig Cooking Contest is a great way to celebrate southern cooking while supporting local causes that help the heart of the Crystal Coast.

Kitty Hawk Kites

Kitty Hawk Kites

Founded as the world's first hang gliding school in 1974, Kitty Hawk Kites has grown into a beloved retail and outdoor recreation venture with more than 28 locations up and down the east coast! With more than 50 years of teaching the world to fly, Kitty Hawk Kites is proud to serve the Crystal Coast as a premier retailer of kites, wind art, toys, apparel, and accessories. Shop great brands like Reef, Prism, Natural Life, Yeti, HeyDude, and more! Visit our locations in Beaufort and Atlantic Beach today.

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Island Express Ferry Service

Island Express Ferry Service

Island Express Ferry Service LLC is the only authorized concessionaire to drop off at Cape Lookout Lighthouse and Shackleford Banks! Offering departures from both Beaufort and nearby Harkers Island, Island Express Ferry Service serves as the link between the communities of the Crystal Coast and the spectacularly beautiful and isolated barrier islands of the Cape Lookout National Seashore. Accommodating passengers who want to explore the miles of pristine beaches, exceptional fishing and shelling, wild horses, and the Cape Lookout Lighthouse, Island Express Ferry Service serves as the gateway for one of the most unforgettable adventures along the North Carolina coast.