Area retailers, food and beverage vendors, and nonprofit organizations are reminded that the deadline to apply to participate in the upcoming A250 Faire is fast approaching—on Sunday, February 15, 2026—and eligible vendors are encouraged to apply today!

Although the application period for Arts & Crafts vendors closed on February 1, 2026, there is still time for vendors in all other categories to apply before the February 15, 2026 deadline. Remaining vendor categories include local nonprofits; retail businesses; food trucks and restaurant vendors; and approved brewery, winery and distillery vendors. 

Themed “Liberty, Legacy and Liftoff in the Land of Beginnings,” the A250 Faire will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills. As Dare County’s signature event commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary, the faire will feature a variety of vendors, as well as live music, historical demonstrations, educational programming, community exhibits and patriotic festivities that highlight Dare County’s enduring spirit of innovation and discovery. 

Don’t miss your opportunity to participate in this highly anticipated event. Apply today!

Vendor Applications:

Nonprofit Vendor Application
Deadline: February 15, 2026

Retail Business Vendor Application
Deadline: February 15, 2026

Food Vendor Application
Deadline: February 15, 2026

Brewery, Winery & Distillery Vendor Application
Deadline: February 15, 2026

Questions? Please contact Dorothy Hester, Dare County Public Information Director, at Dorothy@DareNC.gov or 252-475-5903. For more information about the A250 Faire, vendor applications or sponsorship opportunities, please visit DareA250.org. 

Offered by Icarus International, Inc. as an enduring legacy to the history and the beauty and mystery of flight, this public monument recognizes significant accomplishments and milestones in aviation history.

Set against the open sky of Kitty Hawk, on the Outer Banks, where flight began, the Monument to a Century of Flight provides a reflective and contemplative environment. It is surrounded by the simple beauty of the barrier island's natural vegetation and looks out toward the waters of the Atlantic.

Location:
The monument is located on state-owned land adjoining the Aycock Brown Welcome Center (5230 N. Croatan Highway, Kitty Hawk, NC) and is open and accessible to the public, free of charge. The passport sign for this stop is located in an exterior window of the welcome center's vestibule, and the monument is located down a short path behind the welcome center.

The Dare A250 Passport Program features 13 historic stops located throughout Dare County, each offering a meaningful introduction to local history through museums, cultural sites and natural landmarks. At each site, visitors can scan a QR code to collect a virtual stamp and submit their name and email through the digital form. As participants build their collection, they will become eligible to receive a certificate recognizing their engagement with Dare County’s historic landscape during the A250 celebration. The program is open through November 18, 2026.

This Month's Historic Highlight: 
When was Dare County established?

In 1870, the North Carolina General Assembly voted to remove parts of Currituck, Hyde, and Tyrrell counties to form a new county they named Dare County in memory of Virginia Dare, who was the first child born of English parents (Ananias Dare and Eleanor White) in America. That year, the Dare County Board of Commissioners held its first meeting.

For taxing purposes, the new county was divided into five townships: Hatteras and Kinnakeet were located on the south banks of Hatteras Island, Croatan and East Lake were located on the mainland, and Nags Head consisted of all of Roanoke Island as well as the north banks from Oregon Inlet to the south edge of the community of Kitty Hawk. Kitty Hawk and Duck remained in Currituck County until 1920 when the North Carolina General Assembly removed the north banks area of Kitty Hawk Bay to Caffey’s Inlet and added it to Dare County.

Subsequently a sixth township, known as Atlantic Township, was formed from this newly acquired area, plus Colington Island and what is now the Town of Kill Devil Hills. Dare County is bounded by the Pamlico, Croatan and Albemarle sounds, Hyde and Tyrrell counties, and the banks of the Atlantic Ocean. The present area is 388 square miles, and the Town of Manteo is the county seat. 

The two-story, red brick Dare County Courthouse, located in downtown Manteo on the corner of Budleigh and Queen Elizabeth streets, was built in 1904 to form the county seat of Dare County. The beautiful brick structure was nearly destroyed in the 1933 hurricane, when it lost its steeple, and once featured a jail behind the building that was eventually torn down. The county’s administrative offices and court inevitably outgrew the space and moved into their current location at the Dare County Government Complex located on Marshall C. Collins Drive in Manteo in 2007. Founded in 1975, the Dare County Arts Council moved into the old courthouse in 2010, where it still operates today. You can visit Dare Arts in the old courthouse and view wonderful artwork from local artists and artisans across the Outer Banks region.

The Dare A250 Committee is excited to announce the Dare A250 Essay Award, inviting all Dare County students to explore and share their insights on America’s 250th anniversary and the county’s unique role in our nation’s history. Award winners will be presented during the Dare A250 Faire that will be held at the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills on Saturday, April 18, 2026.

The contest encourages students to research, reflect, and creatively express their understanding of Dare County’s contributions and America’s shared heritage. Through the contest, local students will have the opportunity to connect their writing to broader educational initiatives, such as exploring significant local sites, historic events, and influential figures that have shaped both the county and the country. Essays may focus on the themes of freedom, community, innovation, and the diverse narratives that define American history.

The contest is open to all students in Dare County who are currently enrolled in 3rd grade to 12th grade. If you are interested in more information about the A250 Essay Award Contest, click on the link below to access the submission form. All submissions must be made by Sunday, March 15, 2026.

The A250 Student Art Exhibit that will be featured at the Dare A250 Faire on Saturday, April 18, 2026 offers a vibrant celebration of student talent and a chance for the community to support emerging artists. All students in Dare County are encouraged to submit their art for consideration for this event. A panel of invited art professionals from Dare Arts will conduct formal judging of the exhibited works. Awards will be presented in multiple categories to recognize exceptional achievement, innovation and craftsmanship. The judging process underscores the county’s dedication to providing students with opportunities for public recognition.

The contest is open to all students in Dare County who are currently enrolled in 3rd grade to 12th grade. If you are interested in more information about the Student Art Exhibit, click on the link below to access the submission form. All submissions must be made by March 27, 2026.

Organizations interested in adding their events or programs to the Dare A250 events calendar may submit them through our online form.

If your organization, group, or entity would like to submit an event to be published on the Dare A250 event calendar, this form must be completed. Event calendar submissions will be accepted until December 31, 2026. Please give at least two weeks notice to allow for the Dare A250 Committee to review your submission. If approved, your event will be published on the online event calendar.