Scenes from Croaker Festival 2018

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Camps, pies, and the Croaker Queen
July 2, 2018

J
uly 4 fell mid-week this year making the Croaker Festival a little earlier this year: June 30 to July 1. The event coincides with July fourth and features music, dancing, pageants, a regatta, and fireworks. This year, the parade theme was the camps of Pamlico County: Camp Don Lee, Camp Caroline, Camp Seafarer, Camp Sea Gull, Camp Vandemere, and Camp Jo Jane.

Waiting for the parade along Broad St. (photo Matt McCotter)

Organizers brought in The Embers Featuring Craig Woolard for the main musical act. Though there is not yet an official count, many locals said it was the largest evening crowd in years.

It was also the second year fireworks were launched from the bridge and the second year the bridge was closed to all traffic for the event from 3p to 11p on Saturday.

Nelda and Chaz Coats’ winning patriotic pie. (photo Amron Wagoner)
Baking Contest Winners:

Pies – Nelda & Chaz Coats – Flag Cherry Pie

Cake – Mack Avery – Smores Cake

Bread – Mary Scott – Artisan Whole Grain Bread

Cheesecake – Nicole Avery – Banana Cream Pie Cheesecake

Vegan Cake – Rachel Homan – Vegan Vanilla Bean Cake

Theme Cake – Susan Adams – Camp Fire Cake

After marching in the parade, the Marine Band musicians get down on the main stage.

The Embers had everyone up and dancing. (photo Ben Casey)

Winner of the Croaker Queen and Miss Photogenic titles, Alyssa Dunham.
Croaker Queen Pageant:

Croaker Queen and Miss Photogenic – Alyssa Dunham

1st Runner Up and Miss Congeniality – Jordan Baker

2nd Runner Up and Winner of the Academic Scholarship – Emily McPherson

Winner of the Miss Minnow and Miss Photogenic titles, Macy Green.
Miss Minnow Pageant:

Miss Minnow and Miss Photogenic – Macy Green

1st Runner Up – Summer Daniels

2nd Runner Up – Chloe Baker

The first and second place winners of the Coloring Contest in the 11-12 age bracket, Sophie Woodard and Yao W.
Coloring Contest Winners:

Best Overall – Peyton Rogers

Budding Artist – Ruby Hight

Age 3-4, 1st Place – Jackson Kelley

Age 3-4, 2nd Place – CJ Hallman

Age 5-6, 1st Place – Peyton Elam

Age 5-6, 2nd Place – Megan Rupar

Age 7-8, 1st Place – Lila Grace Doxey

Age 7-8, 2nd Place – Molly Hight

Age 9-10, 1st Place – Taylor McHenry

Age 9-10, 2nd Place – Ava Sawyer

Age 11-12, 1st Place – Sophie Woodard

Age 11-12, 2nd Place – Yao W.

Aerial view of the Croakerfest Regatta. (photo Matt McCotter)
Regatta Results: Sunfish

1 George Sechrist

2 Sonya Dean

3 Bob Slook

4 Kara Wheeler

5 Alex Dean

6 George Midyette

7 Jamie Deal

8 Jack Bond

9 Joe Grimm

10 Todd Cox

11 Mark Evans

12 Frank Patch

13 Don Munn

FJ Fleet

1 Madison Scott & Caroline James

2 Umi Noritake & Charotte Curtin

3 Ethan Stocks & Birdie Stockton

4 Mason Caroon & Charles Johnson

5 Tyrese Branch & Eli Thorn

6 Zimm Staats & Maisie Jones

7 Jeff Mosher & Hunter Josey

8 Justin Peck & Kian Peck

9 Emery Haluska & Anna Peck

10 Keenan Leggett & Brian Hebert

11 Rhett Parham & Lizzy Toms

12 Douglas Robinson & Donnie Campbell

13 Olivia Leggett & Lili Grace

14 Ben Bryant & Owen Haluska

15 Oliver Haluska & Jaden Petterson

The coach boat for Camps Sea Gull and Seafarer, waiting with Silos pizza for their sailors. (photo Matt McCotter)

Saturday night’s view from Oriental Harbor Marina.

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An entry in the Baking Contest with flags from each of the camps.

Judges sample the goods at the baking contest. (photo Amron Wagoner)

The Pamlico Community Band wore their Fourth of July best.

The band director goes all out to get the best from his musicians.

Members of Camps Vandemere and Don Lee help start the parade. (photo Matt McCotter)

The Shriners’ Sudan Gators brought their vehicles embellished with gator heads that shot water and breathed smoke.

Sudan drifters on their motorized trikes meet the locals.

The Sudan Cooligans on their motorized coolers.”

Bow to Stern Sailing School used camp counselors to pull their boats.

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A smaller ‘float’ shows what camp life is about: kayaks, fires, and a bear in your tent.

Kevin McNatt, riding a penny-farthing from Maine to Key West, stopped to join the parade.

A peril of camp life along the Neuse River – jellyfish.

The 2018 Parade Winners.

Ammunition for a sanctioned (and refereed) water balloon fight at the Heartworks Kids Carnival.

Volunteers at the Heartworks Kid’s Carnival help a young patron out of the bounce house.

The Miss Minnow contestants line up to enter the stage.

Vendors sold crafts, clothes, food, and Old Fashioned Soda Pop.

The Embers played the main stage before the fireworks. (photo Ben Casey)

Billy and Donna Creech dance under the main tent. (photo Ben Casey)