• Natural beauty is one of North Carolina's attractions.white sand dunes image by MAXFX from Fotolia.com
  
  The Outer Banks area of North Carolina hosts 7 million visitors each year. The region includes five lighthouses, the site of the first flight by the Wright brothers, the largest sand dunes on the East Coast and one North Carolina's aquariums. Other attractions include the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum and "The Lost Colony," the nation's longest-running outdoor drama. Hang gliding, water sports, art galleries and bird watching also are available.
  
  

Hang Gliding Spectacular

• The Hang Gliding Spectacular and Air Games event has enjoyed 30 continuous years, annually attracting more than 60 competitors during the third week of May. The spectacular consists of four main events. In the three-day Dune Competition, entrants round pylons and land on targets for points. For the two-day Aero Towing Competition at Currituck County Airport, competitors go for altitude and duration while dropping beanbags on targets. The Woody Jones Memorial Street Dance is at Kitty Hawk Kites' main store in Nags Head, while the Kitty Hawk Kites instructor reunion is for those who taught hang gliding there.
  
  

Mollie Fearing Memorial Art Show

• The free art show at Roanoke Island's art gallery May 2-26 features drawings, sculpture, pottery, photography, jewelry, and fiber and metal art produced by local and regional artists (Reference 3). The theme for the 2010 show is Earth Speaks, and an award will be given to the work that best illustrates the theme. Exhibitions will feature natural material, including clay vases and Earth-friendly mini quilts, with a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. May 1.
  
  

Day at the Docks

• Sea captains invite sailors and landlubbers to join them Sept. 18, 2010, for a day of festivities. Charter boats, commercial fishing boats and fishing gear will be displayed on the waterfront of Hatteras Island, and captains and crews will demonstrate skills of the trade. State-of-the-art craft will be docked next to century-old work boats. Contestants will vie in a chowder cook-off. Children's activities include a fishing contest, a fish identification game and a scavenger hunt. Admission is free, while fresh seafood will be available for a modest charge.