TownDock.net's
2023 Croaker Festival Guide


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Schedule
When It’s All Happening

Croaker Festival is Friday, June 30 – Saturday July 1. The Parade is Saturday at 10a, Fireworks are Saturday night around 9:15p.

Croaker Festival Schedule

FRIDAY

Friday 7:00a: South Ave. becomes one way

Friday 8:00a: Vendor set up starts

Friday 9:00a: Vendor booths are open

Friday Noon: South Ave. closes at the Festival Grounds

Friday 2:00p: Croaker Festival Information Booth opens

Friday 3 – 4:30p: Drop off your baked goods for the Baking Contest – behind the Croaker Booth

Friday 4:00p: Opening Ceremonies @ Lou Mac Park for the 43rd Annual Croaker Festival

Friday 4:00p: Pamlico Chorale & Pamlico Community Band

Friday 4:45p: Baking Contest Judging Begins

Friday 6:00p: Miss Minnow Pageant

Friday 6:30p: Croaker Queen Pageant

Friday 7:00p: Baking Contest Winners Announced on the Pageant stage

Friday 7:00p: Dancing in the Street: Southern Hellcats perform

SATURDAY

Saturday 8:15a: South Ave. closes at the Festival Grounds

Saturday 8:30a: Vendor booths open

Saturday 8:30a:Check in for the CroakerFest Regatta at Bow to Stern

Saturday 9:00a:Captain’s Meeting for the CroakerFest Regatta at Bow to Stern

Saturday 9:00a: In the parade? The line begins at Ragan Rd. Ragan Rd closes to vehicle traffic.

Saturday 9:00a: Streets close to vehicle traffic – pedestrians only on Hodges St, down Wall St to South Ave for the parade.

Saturday 10:00a: The Parade begins, leaving from Ragan Rd, heading down Broad St, to snake along Hodges and down to South Ave, eventually ending back at Ragan Rd.

Saturday 10:30a: Broad Street reopens immediately after the parade – Hodges Street down Wall Street to South Ave remains closed.

Saturday 11:00a: Marine Corps Band play on the Riverfront Stage by Lou Mac Park.

Saturday 11:45a: Kid’s Park opens on Mildred Street

Saturday Noon: CroakerFest Regatta – first gun. Watch the race from Lou Mac Park.

Saturday Noon: Parade Winners announced on the Main Stage

Saturday Noon: The Big Jim Kohler Band play the Main Stage.

Saturday 2:00p: Last call for Coloring Contest entries

Saturday 2:00p: Gary Dudley & The Maxxtones play the Main Stage

Saturday 4:00p: Coloring Contest Winners Announced

Saturday 4:00p: TerryLynn Melody plays the Main Stage

Saturday 5:00p: Bridge Closes for Fireworks Traffic will have to take the long way around

Saturday 6:00p: Vendor booths & The Kid’s Park close

Saturday 7 – 9:15p: Dancing in the Streets: Todd Barnes & The Wild Hares performs

Saturday 8:00p: Southern Hellcats at the Tiki Bar

Saturday 9:15p: Fireworks from the Oriental Bridge

Saturday 10:00p: Streets and bridge reopen

Sunday

Sunday 8:00a:All Vendor booths and trash must be removed

Sunday 9:30a:Community Church Services at Lou Mac Park – all are welcome














Cool Stuff
Croaker Festival Fun Facts Ya Gotta Know...

The Cherry Point Marine Corp Band plays around. They played in New Orleans in February 2017, and Oriental in July 2017,2018,2019 & 2022 - they return for the 2023 Croaker Festival Parade. They also play the Main Stage Saturday.

Marine Band

Saturday night, fireworks light up the sky over Oriental. The fireworks launch from the bridge.

Fireworks

Sunfish, FJ, and 420 class sailboats race on the Neuse. It’s the Croaker Fest Regatta Saturday starting at 11a.

Croakerfest Regatta

The "semi-marching" Kazoo band The Kazooligans will be making their FOURTH Croakerfest appearance.

Kazooligans