HYDE COUNTY — It’s been a busy time in Hyde County over the past couple of weeks.

From Swan Quarter to Engelhard, volunteers and organizers have been putting their best foot forward to attract residents and out-of-towners alike.

Starting out the events was the second-annual Scurry the Quarter 5K Glow Run on Oct. 28 in Swan Quarter. Participants came out in their best Halloween costumes and were given glow-in-the-dark gear to raise money for Hyde County 4-H.

Lee Brimmage, Hyde 4-H program assistant, said this year’s race was another success. Although some participants were unable to make it because of rescheduled high school homecoming events, about 60 people still attended.

“A little bit of the conflict that we had this year was due to the hurricane,” Brimmage said. “It turned out really well though.”

He said 4-H plans to use the money raised for youth programs, including camps and activity days throughout the year.

“Part of our goal is to serve our community with health-oriented events,” Brimmage said.

About a week later, on Nov. 5, two more events kicked off in the county.

An unofficial offshoot of the previously cancelled Engelhard Seafood Festival, the first-annual Engelhard Fall Festival was a community-based event and highlighted some of the area’s nonprofits, according to organizer Jo Ann Spencer.

“I was trying to entice the community crafters, and I wanted to focus, yes, on the community,” Spencer said. “We had a few of the vendors that were scheduled for the seafood festival. … There were a lot that had other obligations and couldn’t come.”

Those who could attend included: Relay for Life, selling hamburgers and hotdogs; Engelhard Fire Department, selling barbecue; Engelhard Development Corp., selling seafood chowder; Hyde County Chamber of Commerce representatives; participants in the 4-H chicken and rabbit show; the N.C. Aquarium at Roanoke Island; and craft and merchandise vendors. There were also children’s activities available.

“I think it turned out really well, and it was a beautiful day,” Spencer said. “I was trying to focus on the food part of it for the nonprofits in the community.”

In Swan Quarter, the Hyde County Health Department hosted an open house that day, as well.

Representatives from East Carolina University and Vidant Health were on hand for skin cancer and breast cancer screenings, as well as screenings for cholesterol, sugar levels and blood levels. Visitors could also get a flu shot.

“I was so pleased with everything, from the public turn out, to the service providers, the yummy breakfast, and of course, the staff,” said Luana Gibbs, interim health director. “We had 35 sign in, but believe we may have had a few more.”

Gibbs said the staff received positive feedback from those who attended the open house.

“The purpose was to introduce the public to our agency, allowing them an opportunity to find out more information about the services we provide,” she said. “As we suspected, several folks told us they were not aware of some of our services.”

Spencer said she thought the day turned out to be a good one for Hyde County.

“It was a good day for the community,” she said.