Reading Time: 4minutesAttendees of 6th Annual Squidderfest watch the fireworks show to celebrate Fourth of July, Saturday, July 4, 2026 in Vandemere. (Sage Russell/Down County Fellow)
Images from across the Fourth of July Weekend and America's 250th at the Croaker Festival and Squidderfest.
Event goers wait for the Mini Miss Minnow Pageant to begin on the first day of the 46th Annual Croaker Festival, July 3, 2026 in Oriental. (Sage Russell/Down County Fellow)
People of all ages dance under colorful lights during 6th Annual Squidderfest, after the fireworks show. (Sage Russell/Down County Fellow)
Over the weekend Pamlico County hosted two festivals to celebrate the Fourth of July and America’s 250th Birthday. Both the 46th Annual Croaker Festival in Oriental, lasting two days, and the younger 6th Annual Squidderfest in Vandemere welcomed large crowds.
Home to the Mini Miss Minnow Pageant and music by the ‘Signature Blend’ band, both festivals saw attendees lounge in the sun and chat with a variety of vendors while enjoying the scheduled events. Eventually, when the sun had set, participants set down blankets and lawn chairs to watch fireworks explode into the night sky, capping off the celebration.
Attendees of 6th Annual Squidderfest chat with each other, on the phone and walk through the park during the festival. (Sage Russell/Down County Fellow)
An Oriental resident releases fireworks into the sky late on the Fourth of July. (Sage Russell/Down County Fellow)
An event attendee dressed in period accurate clothing walks along South Avenue during the second day of the 46th Annual Croaker Festival. (Sage Russell/Down County Fellow)
Young attendees of the 6th Annual Squidderfest talk and drink while tying their boats to the dock. (Sage Russell/Down County Fellow)Participants of the 6th Annual Squidderfest dance and enjoy the ‘Signature Blend’ band during the festival. (Sage Russell/Down County Fellow)
Visitors of the 46th Annual Croaker Festival rest along the water, enjoy a cigarette and watch the stage from a food truck. (Sage Russell/Down County Fellow)
Attendees of the 6th Annual Squidderfest illuminated by headlights wait for the fireworks show to begin as the sunsets. (Sage Russell/Down County Fellow)
A Mini Miss Minnow Pageant winner raises her hand so she can be given her award during the 46th Annual Croaker Festival. (Sage Russell/Down County Fellow)A family watches the fireworks show during the 6th Annual Squidderfest. (Sage Russell/Down County Fellow)
Red and blue beanbags lay in the sun and on a cornhole board after a game. (Sage Russell/Down County Fellow)
Visitors of the 6th Annual Squidderfest explore the park and river during the festivities. (Sage Russell/Down County Fellow)
Oriental residents light their own fireworks during the Fourth of July night. (Sage Russell/Down County Fellow)The sunset illuminates attendees of the 6th Annual Squidderfest as they find a place to watch the fireworks show. (Sage Russell/Down County Fellow)A man swings his daughter as they dance at the 6th Annual Squidderfest. (Sage Russell/Down County Fellow)
