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lot of heat and little bit of rain didn’t stop the parade.

It rained before, and it rained after. But the sky delivered a welcome pause for Saturday night’s fireworks.

The Croaker Festival has been going strong for 45 years – since 1980. This year’s Grand Marshal was the group of women that started it all: the original members of the 1980 Oriental Junior Women’s Club.

The Cooligans – a division of the Sudan Shriners – cruise along in the parade.

The tradition carries on with food and craft vendors, pageants, a parade, live music, a kid’s play area, fireworks, and two days celebrating the 4th of July.

Crowning of the 2025 Croaker Queen.

Mini Miss Minnow Contest Winners

• Mini Miss Photogenic: Collins Prescott
  
• 3rd Runner Up: Callie Harrison
  
• 2nd Runner Up: Mia Hough
  
• 1st Runner Up: Berkley Banks
  
• Mini Miss Minnow: Parker Stevenson
  

Playing in the street before the main event.

Miss Minnow winner Piper Clay.

Miss Minnow Contest Winners

• Little Miss Photogenic: Alexandria Wilkinson
  
• 3rd Runner Up: Davis Harper
  
• 2nd Runner Up: Bethany Burton
  
• 1st Runner Up: Kaylee Hollowell
  
• Miss Minnow: Piper Clay
  

Enthusiastic paraders from Pamlico Community College, the Pickleball league, and more.

David Falardeau conducts the Pamlico County Band at opening ceremonies.

Croaker Queen Contest Winners

• Miss Photogenic: Julia Bain
  
• Academic Award Winner: Natalie Reed
  
• 3rd Runner Up: Catherine Lackey
  
• 2nd Runner Up: Ripley Atkins
  
• 1st Runner Up: Emma Peters
  
• Miss Croaker: Emerson Gaskins
  

Bridge Atlantic, a New Bern based band, played the main stage Friday night.

Kids were part of the scene: riding in the parade, getting candy on the sidelines, or riding a mechanical bull by the river.

Croaker Queen Miss Emerson Gaskins.

The Marine Corps Band led the Marine Corps bus.

The Chinese Dragon rides along with the Drummin’ Dragons.

Jm Kellenberger and his tractor leads a group of Shriners.

Oriental’s oldest resident: Fay Bond.

Down the slide at the Kid’s Park.

The rain paused for the Saturday night fireworks over the harbor.

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Photos by Joe Clark.

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Posted Wednesday July 9, 2025 by Allison DeWeese