Mark your calendars for the first weekend in December and experience the magic of Waterfowl Weekend at the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center on Harkers Island. The annual celebration of Down East traditions has become the island’s homecoming weekend, featuring food, music, and fellowship with crafts, yard sales, decoy carving demonstrations, and fundraisers along the way.
The museum is decorated for the holidays all weekend, including special decoy exhibits and the Gallery of Trees. Whether you’re sampling seafood chowders at the Chow Down, browsing the artistry of decoy carvers, or enjoying live music with family, this celebration is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season in coastal North Carolina.
Core Sound Chow Down Schedule
Friday, December 4 | 5:30 to 9:30 pm
The weekend opens Friday evening with the Core Sound Chow Down and the island’s “Bring Back the Lights” opening night. Supper is served from 5:30 to 9:30 pm on the museum grounds, among the Christmas lights. Cooks from Down East and neighboring communities bring their recipes for stewed shrimp, clam chowder, seafood chowder, cornbread, and more. Chefs from seafood markets and restaurants across eastern North Carolina judge the cooking.
Tickets: $35 for museum members and $45 for non-members.
What’s included: each ticket covers four cups of your choice.
Save as a member: a $30 membership saves $10 per ticket. Join first, then buy your tickets at the member rate.
Saturday brings artists and carvers, food such as scallop fritters and sweet puppies, an online auction, and musical performances. The live auction starts at 2:00 pm in the big tent, and the auction catalog will be posted online before the event.
Church, Breakfast & Raffle Winners
Sunday, December 6 | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sunday opens with a morning church service and breakfast. The Christmas and quilt raffle winners are announced Sunday, December 6, and tickets are sold at CoreSound.com/raffles.
Admission
As always, admission is free, and everyone is welcome.
Parking
Parking is at the National Park Service; golf carts will be circling to pick you up
(No cars – except pickup and deliveries – inside the Museum parking lot)
CCATS Shuttle Service will be provided from the school.
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Event dates and information are subject to change without notice. Please visit the official event website for more information.
