Dare County is pleased to announce that the upcoming Kelly’s 35th Annual St. Patrick’s Parade—which will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, 2026 in Nags Head—will officially serve as the kickoff event for Dare County’s A250 celebrations, honoring America’s Semiquincentennial in 2026.

The A250 initiative, also known as America’s 250th anniversary, marks a historic milestone: 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Across the nation, communities will come together to reflect on our shared history, celebrate the ideals of freedom and democracy, and explore how the American journey continues to shape our lives today.

In Dare County—known proudly as the “Land of Beginnings”—the A250 celebrations will highlight the people, places and stories that connect our community to the broader American experience.

A250-Themed Parade Participation Encouraged

To celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary, the 2026 Kelly’s St. Patrick’s Parade will feature an A250 theme, and parade participants are strongly encouraged to incorporate patriotic and historical elements into their floats and performances. Dare County’s A250 float will be themed, “Life, Liberty and Liftoff in the Land of Beginnings.”

Entrants who creatively highlight the A250 spirit will be recognized by an esteemed panel of judges in the following categories: Best Overall, Best Float, Best Unit, and Best Band/Music Group. Prizes will be awarded following the parade.

The parade—which features more than 100 entrants and attracts more than 10,000 spectators, making it one of the largest St. Patrick’s celebrations in eastern North Carolina—will take place rain or shine along the traditional one-mile route in Nags Head from Bladen Street (Milepost 11.5) north to Driftwood Street on Virginia Dare Trail (the “Beach Road”).

To participate as a parade entrant, individuals, groups and organizations must submit a parade application to Kelly’s OBX Catering. Parade applications can be downloaded by clicking the button below. Completed applications may be submitted via email to kellysobxcatering@gmail.com or mailed to: Kelly’s OBX Catering, PO Box 159, Nags Head, NC 27959.

Questions about the parade? Please contact Parade Director Mary Ann Newman  at 252-441-4116 for more information or to sign up to volunteer along the parade route.

Stay Tuned for More A250 Events

The 35th Annual Kelly’s St. Patrick’s Parade is just the beginning of the yearlong A250 celebration. Dare County will host a series of A250-themed events and activities throughout 2026, inviting residents and visitors alike to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary together. Locally, numerous events scheduled to be held throughout the year will align with North Carolina’s three A250 themes:

• Visions of Freedom – exploring the ongoing pursuit of liberty and equality.
• Gathering of Voices – amplifying the diverse voices that have shaped our history.
• Common Ground – honoring the places and spaces that hold our shared stories.

If your organization, group or entity is planning a race, festival, exhibit, parade, performance or other type of event that celebrates our nation’s history and heritage—or if you know of one that you think should be included—submit it for consideration today! Approved events will be featured on the Dare A250 calendar to help residents and visitors discover and celebrate the people, places and stories that make Dare County extraordinary. Submissions are open through December 31, 2026. 

For more information about Dare County’s A250 initiative—and to view the event calendar or submit an event for consideration—visit DareA250.org/events.

Tammy Woodward (Outer Banks History Center), Carl Curnutte (Our Charmed Life), Dorothy Hester (Dare County Public Relations), Patricia O'Sullivan (Dare County Veterans Services), Connie Rose (Roanoke Island Historical Association), Anna Davis (Roanoke Island Festival Park), Cari Boyce (Roanoke Island Festival Park), Lauren Garrett (Town of Kitty Hawk), Kristen Stilsen (Dare County Geographical Information Systems), Mary Ann Newman (Kelly's Outer Banks Catering), Rachel Tackett (Town of Kill Devil Hills), Cole Fagersten (Virginia Dare Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution [DAR]), Mike Kelly (Kelly's Outer Banks Catering), Austin Paul (Jockey’s Ridge State Park), Brian Edwards (College of The Albemarle - Dare), Sue Wasalaski (DAR), Brenda Shore (DAR), Mary Massie (Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum), Jim Kranda (Outer Banks Repeater Association), Katelin Kight (Dare County Public Relations).