Reservations for the boat trips to Portsmouth Island from Ocracoke should be made beginning in April by calling Rudy Austin at Ocracoke (252-928-4361). The cost is $20 per person, round trip. Make a note on your calendar to call Rudy after April 1st.
Please contact the North Carolina ferry service directly for the latest information, schedules and prices – Ferry Number: 1-800-293-3779, or online at www.ncferry.org.
The boats to Portsmouth load at the NCCAT docks at Ocracoke. Park your car and follow the crowd! Return ferry reservations should be made on the last state ferry to Cedar Island if you are not planning to stay on Ocracoke Saturday night. Dress for the weather and for the boat ride, and bring bug spray and good walking shoes!
Events for the day include a ribbing cutting for the newly restored Henry Pigott House, hymn singing in the Methodist church, a special stamp cancellation at the Post Office, homecoming program under the tent in the village, and dinner on the grounds immediately following the program. Ice, paper products and tables will be provided. Everyone needs to bring food to share and your beverage. Please label your food containers and coolers. ATV carts will meet you at the dock to carry your items into the village for you. Following is the schedule of events for the day:
Beginning at 9:00 AM
Post Office, Visitor Center, Lifesaving Station, School and Church open
10:15-10:30 AM
Ribbon Cutting at the Henry Pigott House – house to be open remainder of the day
10:30 AM
Lionel Gilgo will be on the porch of the Lionel and Emma Gilgo House doing decoy demonstrations Portsmouth -style.
10:30-11:15 AM
Hym singing in the church
11:15 AM
Bell ringing to begin Homecoming Program under tent
12:00-1:00 PM
Dinner on the grounds
1:30-1:45 PM
Tree Planting – under tent – Tolling of the bell seven times for the first seven families who attended the first Friends of Portsmouth Island Homecoming in 1992: Lucille Fulcher Armstrong, Willard Ira Babb, Marion Gray Babb, Jessie Lee Babb Dominique, Levin Fulcher, Clara Salter Gaskins, and Dot Salter Willis.
1:45 PM
Drawing for Lionel Gilgo’s Decoy
Boats will run until everyone has returned to Ocracoke. Flush toilets are located at the Visitor Center. Portable toilets are located behind the church. Return to boats by the time on your ticket – do not go early!
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Back by popular demand, Portsmouth t-shirts will be available for the following donation prices:
Without pocket - sizes S, M, L, XL – $12.00 donation. Colors available in these shirts are light pink, light green, light blue and light yellow.
With pocket - sizes L, XL – $15.00 donation. Colors available in the pocket shirts are gray and blue.
Henley shirt - sizes L, XL – $25.00 donation. This shirt is available in gray only, and we don’t have as many of them so first come first served!
The shirts have a picture of the Portsmouth church on the back, and “Portsmouth Island” written on the left front of the shirt. These shirts will only be available at homecoming and at future FPI meetings. They will not be available by mail.
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For the strong of heart and 4WD owners, Portsmouth Village is also accessible by ferry from the beach. Contact Morris Marina at Atlantic (252-225-4261) for reservations and prices.
In case of inclement weather, Homecoming will be held at the Assembly of God Church on Lighthouse Road at Ocracoke.
For more information about Homecoming, contact Richard Meissner at 252-728-2250, Ext. 3008 (Cape Lookout National Seashore), or click on the “Contact Us” link on this website. We will do our best to answer your questions.