Join us at Dowdy Park for a magical holiday season, filled with festive cheer and exciting events. From enchanting light displays to heartwarming community gatherings, our lineup promises to make your holidays truly special.

Below is a list of the planned events. For more information on them, visit the Dowdy Park Events webpage.

• Farmer's Markets
  • Saturday, November 25 | 9 am - 12 pm
  • Thursday, November 30 | 4 pm - 7 pm
  • Saturday, December 9 | 9 am - 12 pm
• Candy Cane Hunt
  • Thursday, December 14 | 4:45 pm
• Decorating Contest
  • Entries must be received by 5 pm Monday, December 18 
• Tree Lighting Ceremony with a Santa Visit
  • Saturday, November 25 | 5-7 pm

The park is located at 3005 South Croatan Highway and parking is available at Nags Head Elementary School.

Not sure if the septic system at your Nags Head home is working well or if it needs attention? Our voluntary Todd D. Krafft Septic Health Initiative offers free services and financial assistance (that's not free, sorry) for having systems pumped out, repaired, or replaced.

Don't have any idea what a septic system is? Typically, more rural areas use septic systems to dispose of household wastewater, while larger cities use sewer systems. About 80% of the properties in Nags Head have on-site septic systems.

Septic systems treat wastewater on site, usually underground on your property. These systems consist of a septic tank and a drainfield. Heavy solids settle to the bottom of the tank while greases and lighter solids float to the top. The solids stay in the tank while the wastewater is discharged to the drainfield where it percolates into the sand, where natural bacteria and microbes break down the waste.

Too gross for you? These systems can get really gross if you don't maintain them. Give our septic health guru, Environmental Planner Conner Twiddy, a shout, and he'll work with you to get your system inspected, and, if needed, pumped. Email him at Conner.Twiddy@NagsHeadNC.gov or call him at 252-449-6047.

Biologists with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission say there’s an annual peak of reported coyote sightings this time of year, typically from people who are concerned about the dangers resident coyotes could pose. But these secretive canines are not generally a threat to humans and the chances are very good that they have been in the area for some time.

Tips to make homes and neighborhoods less attractive to coyotes:

• Always supervise small pets when they’re outside, and especially around dawn and dusk.
• Keep cats indoors and poultry in a predator-proof run.
• Feed pets indoors or remove all food when a pet is finished eating outside.
• Store food waste in secure containers with tight-fitting lids.
• Keep birdseed off the ground around feeders, or attract birds with seed-bearing wildflowers in lieu of feeders.
• If you see a coyote around your home and feel safe to do so, scare it off by making loud noises.

??: moosehenderson

Good news from our neighbors at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. 

The Bodie Island Lighthouse will be open for climbing on December 2 and December 16, 2023 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.!

Climbing tickets go on sale at 7 a.m. and may only be purchased on the same day of your intended climb. Tickets are only available for purchase at: https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/252034/ticket/10087143

Come and conquer the 219 stairs while exploring new heights and breathtaking views this winter!

Story and photo credit Cape Hatteras National Seashore | K. Moses

In the U.S. alone, around 100 billion cardboard boxes are produced every year. Did you know that recycling one ton of that cardboard saves approximately nine cubic yards of landfill space?

Thank you for choosing to recycle your cardboard this holiday season!

If you don't have time to haul your recyclables to the recycling centers we have at town hall (5401 South Croatan Highway) and our public services facility (2200 Lark Avenue), subscribe to the curbside recycling collection service offered by TFC Recycling. The cost is only $10.33/month thanks to a $5/month subsidy from the Town.