BELHAVEN — It’s time to break out the sequins, put on some fringe and grab a fedora, as Saturday marks the fifth-annual Intracoastal Waterway Celebration in Belhaven.

Saturday’s event is set to kick off at 12:30 p.m. with a “blessing of the waters” at the town docks, as well as a dedication ceremony of the new gazebo in honor of the late Dr. Charles O. Boyette, who passed away unexpectedly last year.

For the next several hours, residents and out-of-towners are invited to peruse Pamlico Street, which will be full of artisan and vendor booths, classic cars and boats on display and children’s activities for the whole family to enjoy.

“It’s a celebration of who Belhaven is because of the Intracoastal Waterway. We do get quite a bit of traffic on the Intracoastal Waterway,” said Yvonne DeRuiz, a town alderman and organizer of the event. “This is a fundraiser to help renovate, upgrade and restore the downtown, so it is a viable entity in the town.”

For 89 years, Belhaven has claimed its spot along the waterway, after a 22-mile segment between the Pungo and Alligator rivers was completed in 1928. The Intracoastal Waterway now stretches thousands of miles down the East Coast.

The ICW Celebration is meant to celebrate Belhaven’s past (thus the emphasis on the 1920s era) and what the town has to offer today.

From 1-3 p.m., ticketholders are invited to experience some of the best chowder in the county at the Chowder/Chili Down East contest. Live music begins at 2:30 p.m. with the Easy Breeze Band.

Then, as part of one of the celebration’s signature events, flappers and perhaps a few gents will descend on Pamlico and Water streets for the Roaring ’20s Fashion Show — yet another tip of the hat to Belhaven’s history.

Live music takes over the stage once again at 5 p.m. with the Sand Sounds Band, as the hotdog eating contest returns at the town docks so after.

DeRuiz said the weather is expected to be in the 70s and sunny, which would be a welcome change from the Fourth of July Celebration. Organizers decided to cap off this year’s ICW Celebration with the fireworks purchased for July but unused as of yet.

“The fireworks are something new this year. What happened was we got rained out at the Fourth of the July, so we decided we could have them on Saturday,” DeRuiz said. “It’ll be a lot of fun just to finish the day with fireworks.”

Organizers are hoping the event will be a fun day for the town, and something positive for residents to enjoy.

“Just a lot of good things going on,” DeRuiz said.

 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

12:30 p.m. — Opening ceremonies, dedication of Dr. Charles Boyette Pavilion, Blessing of the Waters
Town docks (Wynne’s Gut)

12:30-7 p.m. — Artisans/vendors/classic cars
Pamlico Street

1-3 p.m. — Chowder/Chili Down East (ticket required)
Pamlico Street                                               

2:30-4:30 p.m. — Music by Easy Breeze
On stage on Water and Pamlico streets

4:30-5 p.m. — Roaring ’20s Fashion Show
On stage on Water and Pamlico streets

5-7 p.m. — Music by Sand Sounds Band
On stage at Water and Pamlico streets

5:30 p.m. — Hotdog eating contest
Wynne’s Gut

7 p.m. — Fireworks