Dare County officials invite residents, business owners and others with a stake in the unincorporated areas to participate in a brief survey to help inform the development of a resiliency strategy.

Through funding from the North Carolina Resilient Coastal Communities Program, which is administered by the N.C. Division of Coastal Management and supported by the N.C. General Assembly and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Dare County is assessing vulnerabilities and identifying priority actions to address both short-term and long-term risks. This planning effort provides a roadmap for future investments that strengthen safety, equity and environmental protection.

“As a low-lying coastal community, Dare County faces growing challenges from flooding, hurricanes, erosion and sea-level rise,” according to an item in the county’s February emailed newsletter. “A resilient future means reducing these risks while protecting homes, businesses, infrastructure, natural resources and economic assets that are central to the county’s identity.”

Officials define resilience as a community’s ability to prevent, withstand, respond to and recover from disruptions caused by natural hazards.

Dare County is home to six municipalities: Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head and Manteo. Unincorporated areas include Avon, Buxton, Colington, East Lake, Frisco, Hatteras, Manns Harbor, Martins Point, Mashoes, Rodanthe, Salvo, Stumpy Point, Wanchese, Waves and areas just outside of municipalities.

Officials said the plan for unincorporated areas of the county builds on the resilience strategy that was completed for Hatteras Island in 2022.

Officials said that community participation is essential to the process. “Local experiences and perspectives help ensure the resiliency strategy reflects countywide priorities and positions Dare County to pursue future funding for implementation.”

Those who want a say in unincorporated Dare County’s resilience are encouraged to complete the survey by the end of March.

For more information, contact Dare County Grants and Waterways Administrator Barton Grover at Barton.Grover@DareNC.gov.

Update Oct. 10: Duck officials announced Friday afternoon that the 2025 Duck Jazz Festival slated for this weekend has been canceled due to expected weather conditions.

Original post dated Oct. 3: Get ready to immerse yourself in the sounds of swing and rhythm at this year’s Duck Jazz Festival, a free, two-day event showcasing regional and local jazz musicians.

The town-sponsored festival now in its 16th year will kick off with a Concert on the Green-style event from 4-6 p.m. Oct. 11 featuring guitarist, producer and composer Adam Hawley on the main stage, 1200 Duck Road, in Duck Town Park. Hawley has performed with the likes of Natalie Cole, Lalah Hathaway, Jennifer Lopez and The Manhattan Transfer.

Several artists will be showcased on two different stages during a full day of music Oct. 12. Gates open at 10 a.m.

Vocalist Shayna Steele will kick things off at 11 a.m. on the main stage followed by a lineup to include:

• First Flight High School Honors Jazz Band at 12:10 p.m. on the amphitheater stage.
• Gerald Veasley at 1:10 p.m. on the main stage.
• David Esleck Trio featuring Jordan Garrett at 2:20 p.m. on the amphitheater stage.
• Brass Queens at 3:25 p.m. on the main stage.
• The Hot Lanes with Bobby Jasinski at 4:30 p.m. on the amphitheater stage.
• Tito Puente, Jr. at 5:25 p.m. on the main stage.

The festival will be held rain or shine. Chairs are available for rent onsite from Just for the Beach and attendees are invited to bring food, coolers, chairs, blankets, and well-behaved dogs.

Food and soft drinks will also be available for purchase from Duck eateries.

Umbrellas and tents are not permitted and video recording is prohibited.

The park is smoke-free and plastic, aluminum, and glass recycling receptors are available onsite, but guests are asked to consider taking glass containers home to recycle for the safety of the event’s volunteers.

A children’s story time and rhythm play, movie on the green, community concert on the green and a live jam at the Bluepoint will be hosted Oct. 10.

For further details, including the environmental policy for the event, visit the town’s website. “As part of the Town’s vision, a commitment to environmental stewardship is one of our unifying principles,” according to the website.

Live music and other special activities will be taking place at Duck businesses around town.  For event updates, follow Duck Jazz Festival on Facebook and Twitter.

Officials in Duck announced Monday that Connor Winstead had been hired as the Dare County town’s new development and infrastructure director and assistant town manager.

A Nags Head native, Winstead officially started work Monday.

“I am excited to have Connor join our team and confident that his education and experience will be a great asset to the Town of Duck. I’m especially thrilled to welcome an Outer Banks native to this role—someone who understands and values the unique character of our community,” stated Town Manager Drew Havens.

Winstead most recently served for three years as town administrator in Weldon and previously worked in Virginia, including roles with the Department of Conservation and Recreation, Virginia Tech, and the Virginia Management Fellows Program.

Winstead is a graduate of Hampden-Sydney College and earned his Master of Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

His longstanding ties to the Outer Banks include serving in his hometown government as both an undergraduate and graduate intern.