Core Sound Waterfowl Weekend & Decoy Festival

Core Sound Chow Down

2025 Info Coming Soon

Friday, December 6th: 5:30 – 9:30 pm

We are welcoming back special guests MOLASSES CREEK to add a touch of Ocracoke traditional music to the night!
Plus a “Tater Pie Tasting” to compete for the 2024 “Best Sweet Potato Pie Down East” award!

Tickets are $35 for members and $45 for non-members.

Each ticket includes four cups of your choice. Food will be served amidst the Christmas lights on the Museum grounds Friday night. Cooks from Down East and neighboring communities will bring:

• Several different recipes of stewed shrimp, clam chowder and seafood chowder
• Stewed redheads and other wildfowl will be offered
• Stewed oysters with dumplings, fish stew with cornbread
• Gumbo and Venison Chili will return

The “Core Sound Chow Down” judging will be led by seafood market and restaurant chefs from across eastern NC. Peruse Waterfowl Weekend vendors, along with this year’s Gallery of Trees and the Museum’s new decoy displays.

Decoy Festival Schedule

2025 Schedule Coming Soon

Saturday, December 7th: 9 am – 5 pm

9:00am – Show Opens
9:00am – Carving Competition Registration, NCWRC Safari Trailer
10:00am – Competition Judging
11:00am – Retriever Demonstration
2:00pm – Retriever Demonstration
5:00pm – Show Closes

Sunday, December 8th: 10 am – 4 pm

10:00am – Show Opens – YOUTH DAY!!
10:00am – Competition Judging
10:00am –NCWRC Safari Trailer
1:00pm – Head Carving Contest
1:00pm – Retriever Demonstration
3:00pm – Youth Prize Drawing (ages 6-17)
3:30pm – Awards Presentation, announce 2024 Featured Carver/bird, and raffle drawing winners for the Shotgun, Decoy, and Print.

Located at Harkers Island Elementary School, 1163 Island Rd, Harkers Island, NC