Top 10 Outer Banks events this week: The Lost Colony returns, water park opens and festival rocks the Cape

Kiteboarding: Kick-Off Weekend | May 26-28

Three-day event at Kitty Hawk Kites at Waves Village Watersports Resort in Rodanthe. Demos, exhibitions, clinics, merchandise available. Family-friendly, dog-friendly, activities and yard games for all ages. Rain or shine. Activities start at noon each day. Winging clinic from 12-1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (10 spots available each day, $20 apiece). Gear demos 1-5 p.m. Saturday, 1-4 p.m. Sunday. Cookout in yard 6 p.m. Saturday. Grand finale downwinder Sunday 4 p.m. Free and open to public. 24502 NC Hwy 12, Rodanthe.

Visit www.kittyhawk.com/event/kiteboarding-kickoff-weekend; 252-987-2297.

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Splash: H2OBX Water Park | May 27

Opening day of local water park on mainland in Currituck, a few miles from Wright Brothers Memorial Bridge. Rides and slides for kids and adults. Steep drops, lazy drifting and everything in between for individuals, groups. Single-day tickets $32.99-$42.99. Multi-day tickets available. Season pass $120. Hours 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. 8526 Caratoke Hwy, Powell’s Point.

Visit www.h2obxwaterpark.com; 252-491-3000.

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Party, fundraiser: Ocracoke VFD Firemen’s Ball | May 27

Annual family-friendly event for locals and visitors is vital fundraiser for island’s Volunteer Fire Department. Events include silent auction, live auction, pig pickin’, live music by Dune Dogs from Raleigh and local faves Ocracoke Rockers. Starts at 4 p.m. Food plates $15 apiece. Donations accepted for dance. Auction items include Outer Banks FD gear packages, signed photo of Ocracoke Lighthouse, Magic Bean coffee shop signs. Berkley Barn at Berkley Manor, 58 Water Park Road, Ocracoke.

Visit www.ocracokefiremensball.com; 252-928-8074.

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Music: The Stews w/ Blue Footed Boobies | May 27-28

Auburn, Alabama-based rock quartet plays a pair of shows at Outer Banks Brewing Station. Began as hard rocking group, but has evolved to play multiple genres. Current tour has seen them play festivals in Knoxville, Tennessee, and Martinsville, Virginia, with upcoming dates in the Carolinas and at Bonnaroo. Boobies are energetic rock duo of guitar and drums based in Wilmington. Doors open 9 p.m., show starts approximately 10:30 p.m. Tickets $20 advance, $25 day of show. 600 S. Croatan Hwy, Kill Devil Hills.

Visit www.obbrewing.com; 252-449-2739.

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Concert: Memorial Day Kick-Off | May 29

Town of Duck offers Memorial Day evening concert with U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Heritage Brass Band out of Langley, Va. Heavy on patriotism, communicating Air Force priorities, recruiting, honoring veterans. Free to public. 6-7 p.m. Duck Town Park, 1200 Duck Road.

Visit www.townofduck.com/events; 252-255-1234.

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Nature: NC Aquarium Behind-the-Scenes Tour | May 30

Aquarium on Roanoke Island offers visitors behind-scenes tour with educators and staff members. Ages 8 and older, though 8-12 year-olds must be accompanied by adult. Online registration before day of event required. Tickets $18 per person, in addition to regular admission. 11 a.m.-noon 374 Airport Road, Manteo.

Visit www.ncaquariums.com; 252-475-2300.

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Music, outdoors: Pat McGee’s Down the Hatch | May 31-June 3

Four days and nights of boutique music getaway, based at Ramada Plaza at Nags Head Oceanfront. Chill days with music performances on beach, evenings on hotel back decks and ballroom. Performers include Pat McGee Band, Fantastic Cat, Adam Ezra Group, Dan Bern, Jason Adamo Band, Dan Rodriguez, Emily Mac. Tickets $399. Hotel has block room rate for attendees. 1701 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills.

Visit www.patmcgee.net; 252-441-2151 (Ramada direct number).

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Festival: Rock the Cape | June 1-2

Annual family-friendly event that celebrates art and music on Hatteras Island. On Thursday, full afternoon of art exhibits, live music at Kitty Hawk Kites Waves Village resort from 2-7 p.m. On Friday, tour of art galleries on Hatteras Island, from Rodanthe to Hatteras Village. Details, participating galleries TBA. Free and open to public. Kitty Hawk Kites Waves site at MP 40 on NC Hwy 12 in Rodanthe.

Visit www.darearts.org/rockthecape; 252-473-5558.

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Theater: The Lost Colony | June 2

Opening night of 2023 season for Paul Green’s venerable symphonic play about first English settlers on Roanoke Island, an Outer Banks institution for more than 80 years. Play runs six nights per week until late August. Gates open 7:30 p.m., house opens 8 p.m., curtain drops 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Friday, Saturday features Native-American pre-show at 8 p.m. Backstage tours also available. Tickets $40, $35, $25. Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, 1409 National Park Drive, Manteo.

Visit www.thelostcolony.org; 252-473-6000.

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Street fest: First Friday | June 2

Downtown Manteo’s monthly, family-friendly get together features live music, artisans, open shops and a casual vibe, all within walking distance of the waterfront. Dare Arts Council also opens exhibit of work from queer artists – Outside Straight Lines – in celebration of Pride Month. Reception from 6-8 p.m., where visitors can meet artists. Scheduled music includes The Storyweavers at Dare Arts Council building and Tripp Harrison on Old Tom Street. 300 Queen Elizabeth Ave., Manteo.

Visit www.darearts.org; 252-473-5558.