Beach Buzz

If your New Year’s resolution involves spending more time with family, an Outer Banks beach vacation is the perfect way to connect with your loved ones. Whether you’re exploring the miles of uncrowded beaches or climbing a historic lighthouse, you’ll make memories to last a lifetime with your loved ones. Sun Realty is the largest Outer Banks vacation rental company and has a vacation home to suit your family’s needs and budget. Check out our affordable beach vacation rentals below with weekly rental rates under $2,000.

Every year for 18 days in December The Elizabethan Gardens on Roanoke Island are turned into a winter wonderland of lights and floral displays.From traditional Christmas displays to peacocks, butterflies, deer and other garden creatures created with flowers, seeds, and natural elements, there is something for everyone at The Elizabethan Garden’s Winter Lights festival. Each evening during Winter Lights, receive 10% off all items at the Elizabethan Gardens Gift Shoppe and plant sales.

The Town of Duck is hosting their 1st Annual Yuletide Celebration on December 2 and 3, 2011. On Friday, December 2, 2011 join the festivities at local retailers with extended hours and enjoy holiday sales, seasonal decorations, refreshments, and entertainment. Please check with individual stores for hours and promotions. In addition to fantastic holiday sales during the Duck Yuletide Celebration, join local eateries for the Duck Tapas Crawl from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Participating restaurants will be serving one plate of tapas and a cup of holiday cheers for a special prices.

This Friday and Saturday, Santa will be at Kitty Hawk Kites in Nags Head at milepost 12 across from Jockey's Ridge State Park. On Friday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Santa will be on hand for pictures and on Saturday, Santa will be available for pictures from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.Join the fun from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, on Jockey’s Ridge State Park for Kites with Lights. This annual holiday event is a lot of fun. Grab a cup of free apple cider and a few cookies at Kitty Hawk Kites then walk over the dunes and see a spectacular sight.

The smells of Thanksgiving and the holidays will soon fill the home and everyone’s mouths will begin to water, including your pets. With our wide selection of Outer Banks pet friendly vacation rentals available this holiday season, we’d like to share some information about a few holiday related food items to be aware of for your pet’s health.•    High fat foods, such as ham, gravy, butter, and desserts, may cause inflammation of your dog’s pancreas. Pancreatitis causes intense abdominal pain and vomiting and requires hospitalization to recover.

Black Friday on the Outer Banks is the perfect day to catch a deal at all your favorite Outer Banks stores. We’ve compiled a list of local shops their Black Friday promotions to make planning your biggest shopping day of the year easier than ever.The Whalehead Club – Corolla – 9:00 am to 5:00 pmBlack Friday Porch Sale: Discounts on everything in the store. There’s something for everyone with samples of locally made preserves, a raffle, children’s prizes and a bake sale.The Culinary Duck –Duck – 10:00 am to 6:00 pmSelect items are 10% to 40% off.

The Outer Banks Marathon was a huge success in 2011 with over 5,000 runners competing in the full and half marathon. The Outer Banks Marathon takes runners across the central beaches of the Outer Banks to Roanoke Island.

After a 1,000 mile journey along the North Carolina Mountains-to-Sea trail, seeing the beautiful shores of the Outer Banks of North Carolina will be the perfect ending for eighteen Marines raising awareness and money for injured service members. Fortunate Sons, a group of 18 Marines, are in the midst of collectively hiking the entire 1,000-mile North Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trail with the goal of raising money and awareness. The 42-day journey began Oct.

The Outer Banks Shrimp Cook-off is held every year on the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina. Chefs from across the area will create tasty shrimp dishes for attendees and judges to vote on.  All proceeds benefit the Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research. The event is held every year at Ocean Boulevard Bistro and Martini Bar in Kitty Hawk. This year it will be held November 6th, from 12 p.m.

Sun Realty has made it easier than ever to afford an Outer Banks beach vacation. Since introducing their Smart Pay Plan, we've had an overwhelming response. Give one of our helpful Outer Banks Vacation Specialist a call at 1-888-853-7770 to discuss your options.Our innovative Smart Pay Plan* allows families like yours to make smaller, more manageable payments towards an Outer Banks vacation.The Smart Pay Plan will break down your rental and deposit price into 4 payments.