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Burghees of the sailing teams coming to the Sailpack Regatta. Sailpack coach Dana Magliola writes in about this weekend’s racing.

3:15p Collegiate sailors. An Easter Egg hunt. A reception for artists. It’s all happening in Oriental.

Tonight at the Brewery, Tanja’s German Street Food serves 5-8p and Yard Sail plays in the beer garden 5:30-8p. At 6p, wander down the road to celebrate Good Friday at Oriental United Methodist Church.

Start Saturday on Hodges Street, from 8-11a, for fresh produce at the Oriental Farmer’s Market. At 10a, Oriental United Methodist Church hosts the annual Children’s Easter Egg Hunt. Bring a basket.

Catch the SailPack Regatta on the Neuse off Lou Mac Park between 10a-5p (with a break for lunch). Shred any old or unwanted documents and bring a non-perishable food item to the Shred Event and Food Drive between 11a-2p. Welcome April’s artists of the month to Broad Strokes Gallery, 2-5p.

Saturday evening, Roadside Dogs serves 4-7:30p at the Brewery, Hoff ‘n’ Finch play in the beer garden 5-8p.

Sunday morning is the Easter Sunrise Community Service. Bring a chair and meet by the river at Lou Mac Park at 6:30a. Service begins promptly at 6:45a.

Regular Easter Sunday services held between 11a-1p. Collegiate sailors are back on the water between 10a-noon.

M&M’s is one of the few restaurants open Easter Sunday for lunch and dinner. Order off the menu or enjoy their specials board with spiral cut ham, steaks, and a whole lot more.

It’s all in What’s Happening.

11:55a A couple notes re Easter weekend biz hours.

Casa Que Pasa (aka the Taco Tower) is open today and Saturday, 8a-2p, then closed Sunday. Mariposa is also closed Sunday for Easter… they are open Sat & Mon 7a-11a (bakery) and 3p-9p (wine bar).

9:43a This corgi is one of the forty-some participants in the 2026 PAWS Pet Parade, strutting riverside. See check out the parade pics here.

On March 14, Russ Stevenson’s family celebrated his life at the Oriental UMC. Peta Lewis, his daughter, writes in with her thanks to the community. Read her letter here.

8:21a Nineteen teams. They are coming to Oriental… from all over. There are sailing teams from Mississippi, Texas, California and even Ontario, Canada. All coming to sail in our little town.

Here’s the lineup:
NC State, UNC Wilmington, Jacksonville University, Clemson University, Embry-Riddle, University of South Florida, Georgia Tech, University of Florida, Christopher Newport University, Virginia Tech, UNC-Chapel Hill, Queen’s University, University of Texas, Rice University, UC San Diego, the College of William & Mary, Michigan State University, Ole Miss, and Arizona State University.

Sailpack coach Dana Magliola writes in with info about this weekend’s collegiate regatta.

11:28a The Boat Show is coming… less than two weeks away. Part of the boat show is the nautical flea market, run by Rotary Club volunteers.

Seeking bronze, anchors… your funky odd old electronics. Joe Valinoti writes in:

For more info, email joesail1@gmail.com.

11:14a He wrote plays. He told stories that kept your attention. A leader in the community. Husband, father, grandfather. Jimmy Ragan passed away last week at age 84.

More about his life is here.

Saturday night was the annual Pamlico Arts Dragon Burn. It was well attended. Folks had fun.

But they didn’t burn the dragon. Yet. Here’s the story.

7:32a Late yesterday afternoon a statewide open burning ban went into effect, until further notice. This was issued by the North Carolina Forest Service, due to dangerous forest fire conditions.

The ban landed just two hours before Pamlico Arts annual Dragon Burn was scheduled. The event went on… just without the dragon burning. There were fire dancers, the small dragon danced, and music played.

But that special dragon, modeled for the Year Of the Horse, will burn. Pamlico Arts will wait til the ban is lifted, and then schedule a new date.

Behind The Silos/Red Rooster, that dragon/horse is waiting:

3:08p Burn a Dragon? Join the Pet Parade. Listen to the blues. You can do all of it in Oriental this weekend.

Tonight, Uncle Man’s Food Emporium is at the Brewery, serving 4-8p. Big Jim Kohler will be in the beer garden, 6-8p.

Over at the Old Theater, the Pamlico Community Band performs under the direction of Dave Falardeau at 7p.

Saturday morning, the Oriental Farmer’s Market provides produce and more from 8-11a. The PAWS Pet Parade is 11a at Lou Mac Park. Arrive early to register ($5 per pet), and try to bribe the judge for your chance to win. All proceeds benefit PAWS, the Pamlico Animal Welfare Society.

The Oriental History Museum shows off their collection of hand-stitched items from 1-4p. The Neuse Sailing Association hosts their annual Shrimparoo at the Oriental Marina & Inn / Tiki Bar from 2-4p. The Jerk Truck serves jerk chicken at the Brewery, 4-8p. TerraTones plays the beer garden 6-8p.

At 6p Saturday night, the gates open for the Pamlico Arts Festival’s annual Dragon Burn. The dragon burns at sunset. At 7:30p, the John Jorgenson Quartet performs at the Old Theater.

Sunday, join the churches of Oriental at Oriental United Methodist Church for their 5th Sunday Sing, starting at 6p.

Mariposa serves fresh baked goods Saturday, Sunday, & Monday 7-11a, and charcuterie & wine flights in the evenings, 3-9p.

Details for all these events – and what events are in the weeks to come – are in What’s Happening.

10:01a We are sad to report that Judge Jim Ragan passed away Thursday. He was 84.

A retired attorney and judge, Ragan was a beloved character in Oriental and Pamlico County. We look forward to sharing more about his life when the family is able to provide it.

Above is Jim Ragan at a storytelling night at the Old Theater, May 2016.

2:24p Friday is the second day of the Town’s Budget Retreat.

At 8:45a at Town Hall, members of the local Pickleball League are scheduled to give a presentation to Commissioners requesting an expansion of the courts in Lupton Park.

Some neighbors are opposed, and write in with their concerns.

2:07p Dogs eating dirt. Some unauthorized expenses, and an ABC permit for the Taco Tower.

These were among the subjects at Oriental’s March Town Board Meeting. The report is here.

9:24a The Wednesday Night Sail Race returns for 2026, today. It’s kind of a race, and kind of a just show up and go sailing thing.

It starts at 5p (that’s 1700 in military talk).

More info here.

After a partly cloudy morning, a mostly sunny afternoon is ahead. Mid 60s high today, mid 70s Thursday.

8:01a Oriental’s Piggly Wiggly rolls out new weekly specials every Wednesday.

Here are the Piglet deals for Mar 25 – 31.

2:22p There is a stink of smoke in the air. It’s coming from many miles north… a controlled burn near Lake Mattamuskeet:

Cool weather again tonight, expect a low near 40.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station
• Neuse River Marine Forecast

8:01a Water levels are down a few inches. The ferry is back on a regular two-boat schedule.

5:12a No Cherry Branch / Minnesott Beach Ferry this morning…. high water levels are the culprit.

How high? Levels are up 2 ft since last night:

There’s pollen in the air. And on your car, and most any horizontal surface.

Ben Casey took the pine photo on the TownDock cover today. It inspired Oriental resident (and arborist) Bob Miller to write in.

Bob tells us about pines & pollination. Even about tree love.

Friday was the first day of Spring for 2026. When’s the last time you took your sailboat out?

Springs welcomes in the first Wednesday Night Sail for 2026. Just be out there near Marker 1 a few minutes before 5p.

3:31p Warm weather ahead: highs around 80 this weekend, with winds between 5-10 mph. Nice weather for a chowder cook-off.

Capone’s: A Taste of Philly is at the Brewery tonight, 4-8p. Arcis Saxophone Quartet performs at The Old Theater at 7:30p. Tickets available online or at the door.

Saturday morning, the Oriental Farmer’s Market takes over Hodges Street by the Provision Company, 8-11a. Drop off your hazardous household materials at the County Courthouse in Bayboro, 9a-1p.

The Chowder Cook-off happens on the lawn of the Oriental Harbor & Marina, 11a-1p. See handmade quilts and clothes made by Oriental’s former residents at the Oriental History Museum, 1-4p. French wines are on offer at Nautical Wheelers’ monthly Wine Tasting, 2 & 3p.

Saturday afternoon may be your last chance to get Girl Scout Cookies. Troop 4131 has them at the Grantsboro Walmart, 11a-5p and at the Oriental Piggly Wiggly 11a-3p.

Saturday evening, tour New Bern Battlefield Park during The Hallowed Grounds Lantern Tour, 6-9p. Tickets still available for Saturday night.

Over at the Brewery, Jasmine Tasty Thai serves 4-8p while Noah Jackson Cobb provides live entertainment 5-7:30p. Join in with the crew of the Pamlico Library as they celebrate Peggi Carmen’s retirement, 5-7p.

Mariposa serves fresh baked goods Saturday, Sunday, & Monday 7-11a, and charcuterie & wine flights in the evenings, 3-9p.

It’s all in What’s Happening.

2:09p It’s been called Casa Que Pasa. It’s soon to be called, what folks are already calling it: The Taco Tower.

Tacos on Hodges Street are back this weekend, open Friday through Sunday, 8a – 2p. Taco’s (and burritos) will be served from the food truck, with seating on site.

The new Taco Tower building is not yet open, it is expected to be ready in about a month. Meanwhile, just have your taco at ground level.

1:14p Property taxes. Most folks in Pamlico County have received a notice from the county in the mail… with this headline:

The county assesses property values every 8 years. Everyone’s will be a bit different, but we’ve heard of valuation increases of 50% and more. Some have doubled. Some just went up a bit.

So, lets say your property valuation went up 50%. Will your property tax bill go up 50%?

The fortunate answer… is no. TownDock spoke with county commissioner Kenny Heath, who says the tax rate will be adjusted down so that this year’s tax bills will be “close to revenue neutral.” That doesn’t mean your taxes won’t go up, but the expected rise should be just a few percentage points.

The actual new rate will be set by the county commission, date TBD. We are still investigating this, and will report more as info comes in.

8:02a Looks like you survived. High wind yesterday 41 mph, at 6:41p. We didn’t get much rain, about a quarter inch.

Water levels were down two feet last night, from the strong south winds. They are almost back to normal this morning.

The cold front… brought cold. High today and Wed just near 50, with lows both nights about 30. Warmer stuff returns later in the week & weekend.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station
• Neuse River Marine Forecast

3:42p No Pamlico County board meeting tonight:

Today’s high wind just a bit higher: 39mph at 3:14p.

2:02p Now til late this evening is peak time for possible severe weather. Scroll below for more info… the forecast has not changed since this morning.

High wind so far today, 38 mph at 1:00p.

9:52a Oriental received a visit from Congressman Don Davis last Wednesday, March 12. It was unexpected.

It was also due to the work of the Harbor and Waterfronts Advisory Board and Town Manager Miller. Commissioner Paul Jordan writes in with thanks to both.

9:14a High wind so far today, 32mph at 3:53a. The forecast suggests today’s high winds, will get higher.

Gusts to 45 this afternoon & tonight, and NOAA indicates isolated wind peaks to 70mph possible.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station
• Weather Radar

7:17a Chaos. The forecast has elements of that. It might just be windy rainy with a touch of lightning. But there is some chaos potential.

The stormy probability is this afternoon and evening, from 2p until late tonight.

NOAA says these potential storms will be capable of:

• Damaging wind gusts
• Strong tornadoes
• Large hail

Does “tornadoes” need an adjective before it?

So, we might just get some rain and wind and anxiety. But, to quote NOAA, we have Severe Weather Potential.

Supercells? Whats a Supercell?

It’s bad enough here, but it gets worse inland:

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station
• Weather Radar
• Neuse River Marine Forecast

5:20p From PCC:

From Pamlico County Schools:

4:45p The barometer is diving. “Interesting” weather is incoming.

We had a tornado touch down in Pamlico County just this past Thursday. Mom Nature has more plans.

Severe storms are forecast for Monday afternoon and evening. Rain, thunderstorms, winds up to 40 (with higher gusts possible). A risk of tornadoes. This weather pattern, a cold front, will hit locations from South Carolina to Maryland.

That would include us. The highest threats here are from 2p Monday until late night.

Once we survive Monday, cooler days will be with us:

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station
• Weather Radar
• Neuse River Marine Forecast