The towns of Bogue, Cape Carteret, Cedar Point, Emerald Isle and Peletier are pleased to present the inaugural Western Carteret Fireworks Celebration on Sunday, July 3, co-sponsored by Emerald Isle Realty and presented by Mac Daddy’s.

Events kick off at 6 p.m., with live entertainment by Spare Change at Mac Daddy’s and a variety of food trucks selling delicious food and drinks: Meraki Kafe, Sunshine Girls Lemonade, LaCocina Del Coqui, Funnels of Love, R.L. Street Dogs and Dirty Tacos Mas. In addition, Kona Ice will be selling treats at the White Oak Elementary School viewing site.

At 7:30 p.m., the National Anthem will be played, and the U.S. Marine Corps will conduct a military fly over. The National Anthem will once again be held at 8:55 p.m. leading up to the grand fireworks celebration at 9 p.m.

There are several planned viewing zones for the Emerald Isle Realty Western Carteret Fireworks Celebration Presented by Mac Daddy’s. The map shows highlighted zones where your family and friends can watch the show together. The fireworks display will be launched in Cape Carteret.

If you are traveling to Cape Carteret from all areas west of NC 58, you are encouraged to park in Site 1/Western Park, at 259 Old NC-58 in Cedar Point.

For anyone coming from Bogue Banks, including Emerald Isle, you are asked to park at areas 2 or 6, as shown in the map in Cape Carteret. This includes the Lowes Home Improvement Parking Lot and the areas by Cape Carteret Town Hall and Cape Carteret Baptist Church.

For those traveling west on Highway 24, such as from Bogue, Newport or Morehead City, please consider parking at the White Oak Elementary School, Site 3 on the map, or at The Gym Cape Carteret Aquatic & Wellness at 300 Taylor Notion Road.

This event is made possible through Emerald Isle Realty, Mac Daddy’s, and the towns of Bogue, Cape Carteret, Cedar Point, Emerald Isle and Peletier.

For full information, including the viewing zones map, visit www.emeraldisle-nc.org.

We want to hear your ideas for the future of McLean-Spell Park!

You are encouraged to fill out and submit the McLean-Spell Park Survey before the Wednesday, July 13, 2022 deadline. If you would prefer to fill out a paper version, they can be found at Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation Community Center at 203 Leisure Lane, or at the Town's Administrative Offices at 7509 Emerald Drive. All versions of the survey are due by July 13, 2022.

There will be two virtual public stakeholder meetings regarding the future of the park that you are encouraged to attend. Details and Zoom log in links for these meetings can be found on our website.

In addition, an in-person meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 13, in the Town Board Meeting Room at 7500 Emerald Drive.

The Town's Administrative Offices and Community Center will be closed on Monday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. Regular business hours will resume on Tuesday, July 5.

Emerald Isle Police, Fire and EMS will continue to work over the holiday to best serve our community.

Emerald Fest 2022 continues, with Big Sam & Co. performing on Thursday, June 30. Join Emerald Isle Parks and Recreation for what promises to be a great evening.

Grab your beach chair or blanket and enjoy this free summer concert series at the Western Ocean Regional Access. These concerts are held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays. No alcohol, please.

Arrive starting at 6 p.m. for our new HEROES Academy, where we present "A Slice of Safety." Join us for free pizza and a brief beach safety message prior to the concert.

Mark your calendars for these other Emerald Fest concerts:

Jr. Lifeguard Camps to be held this month

Junior Lifeguard Camps will be held throughout July, where participants will learn a variety of beach and ocean safety measures through the Emerald Isle Fire Department's Ocean Rescue team. You can watch this video for a recap from the 2021 camps.

Thank you to the E.I. Beach Patrol, a private social club, for sponsoring this year's sun shirts, water bottles, awards and pizza parties for the 75 junior guards!

The 2022 Junior Lifeguard Camps are full, but check back in April 2023 to register for the next round.

The towns of Emerald Isle, Indian Beach, Pine Knoll Shores and Atlantic Beach want you to ensure you know what the unified beach warning flag system stands for along Bogue Banks. This collaborative video explains the flag colors and what each one represents.

In addition, a video was created highlighting important rip current safety information. Both of these videos can be found predominately featured on the Town's website and social media pages.

You can find more official beach safety information on the Town of Emerald Isle website, and through the free Emerald Isle, NC app.

Thank you to our Bogue Banks neighbors for partnering with us in this safety messaging. Help us spread the word!

The Town of Emerald Isle is also promoting its beach safety messaging in several new ways. The joint safety videos are playing on televisions located at the Western and Eastern Ocean Regional accesses, and new QR code stickers are being placed on to-go orders at several area restaurants. Thank you to 4 J's, Stir it Up, Muttigans, Michelangelo's, Sharks Den, Giovanni's Bagels, Flip Flops Donut Shop and the Mini Mart for helping us distribute these materials! If you have an area business and are interested in helping us spread the beach safety message, please contact Anna Smith, Town Clerk/Public Information Officer, at asmith@emeraldisle-nc.org.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs through November, and the best to time to prepare is now.

Emerald Isle property owners should check now to ensure they have their disaster re-entry permit, and apply for one through the Police Department if they do not have one. You will be required to provide proof of residency as part of this application.

In addition, make sure your hurricane kit is fully stocked and your property is ready in the event a storm comes to North Carolina.

You can find a comprehensive emergency preparedness list and other important information on our website.

The 2022-23 Fiscal Year begins today and will run through June 30, 2023.

The Emerald Isle Board of Commissioners approved the budget at the June 14 meeting, which includes a 1-cent property tax increase to account for inflation.

The FY 22-23 Recommended Budget can be found on the Town's website. The Recommended Budget across all funds is $12,712,457; a $816,337 or 6.69 % increase from the FY 21-22 originally adopted total budget of $11,896,120.

Emerald Isle EMS provides for special medical care and/or help evacuating during disasters, including hurricanes, to those who are registered under the Medically Fragile List.

It is important to note that this form should be completed and submitted to Emerald Isle EMS well in advance of impending disasters. If you or your family member are not already on this list, please take the time today to register.

Contact Emerald Isle EMS at 252-354-2249 if you have additional questions, or would like to register with the Medically Fragile list.

Please note, this registration service was previously handled through Carteret County Emergency Services. If you previously signed up through the County, you will need to register with Emerald Isle EMS.

Emerald Isle EMS is offering a subscription program to help offset the cost of an ambulance transport. This optional annual subscription of $50 covers the direct costs of ambulance services not paid by your insurance. The $50 covers two people: the head of household, along with one other person. You may include others living in the household for an additional $10 each. Your subscription begins two days after receipt of application, payment, and acceptance by the Town of Emerald Isle's EMS Department and expires on June 30th, 2023. There will be no refunds for cancelled or forfeited memberships.

Please note, any subscriptions done prior to June 30 have expired. This program runs with the fiscal year.

You can register online for the subscription program or call the EMS Department at 252-354-2249 to complete the information over the phone.

Paid parking continues and two free passes are available for Emerald Isle taxpayers. The Town's paid parking is at the Eastern and Western Ocean Regional accesses.

In addition, Handicapped/100% Disabled Vet, Purple Heart or Emerald Isle Business Owners are eligible for one free permit. Supporting documentation must be uploaded when applying for this one free permit in these categories. You must have this permit in hand before going to the access points to be eligible. Please note, due to the high volume of applications, same day service is not available.

Parking pass applications are available online, or you may stop by the Police Department at 7500 Emerald Drive to apply in person. You will need a current vehicle registration and driver’s license when applying for your permit. If you have questions, please call EIPD at 252-354-2021.

Emerald Isle taxpayers are eligible to receive two annual free parking permits that can be used at the Eastern Ocean Regional and Western Ocean Regional accesses. These parking permits will be granted only for vehicles registered in the name of the taxpayer and are non-transferable.

The permit decal must be for the current year and be permanently affixed to the driver’s side windshield. Improper placement of decals may result in paying the parking fee, confiscation or possible citation. Lost or confiscated permits will not be reissued. You are required to remove decals from previous years.

Like last year, paid parking will range from $2-$4 per hour, with a maximum amount paid up to four hours. If you stay longer than this, you will only pay the four-hour price.

The Emerald Isle Golf Cart Safety, Rules & Regulations Class is available online. You can find out information concerning this online class and save $25 off your registration/ renewal for 2022 by visiting our website.

To renew for your 2022 registration, you will first watch a video that explains some golf cart rules and regulations, and review the PowerPoint presentation before taking your short test to receive the $25 discount. Once you have taken the test, you will need to fill out and submit the registration application form.

Important reminder: Golf Carts are not permitted to be operated along the length of Highway 58.

The Town of Emerald Isle has a number of official online platforms you can use to stay connected to the latest news, our live beach and traffic cameras, and more. You can also view the monthly Board of Commissioners meetings, which are live streamed on our Facebook page. These meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m.

Follow us on the following platforms:

On Fridays we share pictures from the community - and we need your help. Send your best Emerald Isle pictures to Anna Smith, Town Clerk/Public Information Officer, at asmith@emeraldisle-nc.org for consideration. Please include "Friday Features" in the subject line, and the name of the photographer. You can also use #EmeraldIsleNC in your Instagram photos.

Hurricane season goes through November and CCEC wants you to be prepared if our area is impacted by a tropical system this year.

Here are a few simple steps to get ready and stay safe this hurricane season:

Outline a communication and evacuation plan for your family. If you have pets, include them in your plan.

Connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/CarteretCraven to stay informed about outages and other storm information.

Bookmark our live outage map at outage.carteretcraven.coop to see a real-time look at power outages across our service territory. You can customize your map view and add weather data.

Enroll to receive outage text alerts. CCEC members can be notified when the power goes out at your home or business. Text CCEMC to 1-800-682-2217.

Sign up for local weather alerts. You can also visit ReadyNC.org for real-time weather and traffic information.

BBWC's new irrigation policy went into effect June 1, 2022.

You can find details online at https://boguebankswater.com/documents/175/2022-03-09___BBWC_Irrigation_Policy_FV.pdf. These changes are designed to keep our "Quality on Tap" flowing as we endeavor to conserve and preserve our precious natural water resource.

Be sure to read this month's newsletter, enclosed in your bill, or read it on our website at boguebankswater.com. All of our newsletters contain valuable information that can answer a lot of your questions. Thank you for being our valued customer!

The female sea turtles finally got the memo about how awesome our beach is and started arriving here in Emerald Isle. As of this writing, we already have 12 nests. Volunteer walkers and Zone Coordinators are all anxiously waiting the next nest to be in “their zone”.

Pictured in this photo are most of our Zone Coordinators.

The Coordinators missing from this photo are:

Shane and Emily Gentry, Dianna Yeames, Jimi Crampton, Anne Marie Phillips, Susan Smith, Jim Farmer, Teresa McAteer and Rachael Adams.

We want to give a huge Thank You to Day Five Art Gallery for creating and donating two of their fabulous paintings and hosting a Raffle and Silent Auction Fundraiser on Saturday, July 16, 2022, from 6 - 7:30 p.m. Raffle tickets for the painting are being sold for $10 a ticket. Silent Auction bids end at 7 p.m.. Please contact Dale Baquer 252-646-8292 or Day Five Art Gallery 1-704-345-3869 if you want to buy raffle tickets prior to July 16. Day Five Art Gallery is donating all of the profits to the Emerald Isle Sea Turtle Patrol program. Please make plans to buy raffle tickets and attend the Fundraiser!

Mark your calendars now if you have youngsters who love turtles. On August 12 at 6 p.m. at the Emerald Isle Rec. Center, the Friday Flick is going to feature the movie A Turtle’s Tale. Several members of the Emerald Isle Sea Turtle Patrol, and a very special guest, will be there to “talk turtles” with the young movie goers for a few minutes before and after the movie if your child is interested. Admission is free to all ages.

Please make sure that, before you leave the beach, you fill in all holes you and your group dug and knock down anything you built up on the sand (castles, sand art shapes, structures etc.). Female turtles hauling-out to nest are used to being weightless in the water. It is already difficult enough for them to lumber over the sand when the beach is flat. Mounds of sand or holes in the sand can either present frustration or danger to these creatures. In addition to protecting the turtles, you’d be protecting beach combers walking the beach after dark and stepping into holes. Our emergency teams are fast responders here in E.I. We don’t want them slowed down by getting stuck in a hole on the sand. We would appreciate the help of everyone - residents and visitors alike!

Always remember: When you leave the beach, please leave nothing behind on the sand but your footprints.

The Emerald Isle Beach Bird Stewards’ motto is:

“Let ‘em Rest, Let ‘em Nest”

The Least Terns are doing well at The Point this year with over 100 nesting pairs being reported by Ed Phillips of the Beach Bird Stewards of Emerald Isle. There are at least 20 pairs that have chosen to nest on the ocean side outside of the defined posted areas.

The adult birds will fly up and loudly vocalize and mob beach patrons to move them away from their nests. Unfortunately, we cannot expand the posted nesting enclosures this season.

Emerald Isle’s Beach Bird Stewards rope off and monitor two nesting enclosures, and talk with vacationers and residents about birds visiting our area to nest. At The Point we have migrating Least Terns and Wilson’s Plovers, who travel from the Caribbean and northern South America. We also have Willets who nest at The Point; some are permanent residents here.

Least Terns and Wilson’s Plovers nest in open sandy beach areas with shells so their eggs will blend in, which is why The Point is perfect for them. Please be aware that this is happening at The Point from April through August.

Beach Bird Stewards urge residents and visitors to help the birds. Please:

1. Give them room. If adult birds rush at you and are very vocal - stop and exit that area. Be aware of where you are placing your feet as you back away.

2. Keep pets on a leash; it’s the law. Pets and people are perceived as predators to the birds.

3. Respect the posted areas and use designated walkways.

4. Climbing on the dunes is forbidden.

5. Leave nests undisturbed.

6. Practice carry in/carry out. Food scraps can attract unwanted predators. Birds mistake litter and plastics for food.

Let’s share the shore with our feathered friends!

For more information or if you would enjoy being an Emerald Isle Beach Bird Steward, please email beachbirdsteward@gmail.com, or visit www.ncwildlife.org/volunteer.

You can also like us on Facebook to get the latest updates: Beach Bird Stewards of Emerald Isle