VISITORS' DREAMS STILL TAKE FLIGHT ON THE OUTER BANKS
First Flight Centennial Highlights Destination's Scenic Beauty, Adventure, Hospitality

OUTER BANKS, N.C. (June 12, 2003) - As the Outer Banks of North Carolina observes its year-long centennial celebration of the first powered flight in Kill Devil Hills, N.C., visitors to the coastal destination are finding the spirit of adventure that inspired the Wright Brothers is very much alive today.

The monumental aviation event that took place 100 years ago earned the Outer Banks the moniker "Home of the First Flight." On Dec. 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright achieved the first successful powered flight along the beaches of Kill Devil Hills. The Outer Banks continues to attract visitors for many of the same reasons the Wright Brothers landed here - favorable climate, scenic natural beauty and gracious local hospitality.

"The 100 year anniversary of the First Flight has ignited a renewed pride and community spirit in the Outer Banks," said Outer Banks Visitors Bureau Managing Director Carolyn McCormick. "Visitors will not only be inspired by the majestic dunes of our beaches and the Outer Banks' many historic landmarks - they will be captivated by the excitement in the air during our centennial celebration honoring the Wright Brother's historic achievement."

The year-long celebration being planned and orchestrated by the First Flight Commission and the National Park Service includes a variety of activities and events appealing to aviation enthusiasts, visitors and residents. Kite flying festivals, carnivals, gas balloon races, airplane races, and many other commemorative events highlight the Outer Banks' celebration throughout the year.

The week of the historic anniversary kicks off Dec. 12, 2003, with "Igniting the Imagination," a program designed to engage school children in aviation through demonstrations, discussions and meeting the Wright family children. The anniversary week continues with the two-day festival "Remember the Past, Imagine the Future," Manteo's Aviation Film Festival, a salute to military aviation, and the "Celebrating 100 Aviation Pioneers" ceremony. For a complete list of centennial celebration events, visit www.firstflightcentennial.org.

The centennial celebration culminates with the re-enactment of the Wright Brothers' historic flight. At 10:35 a.m. on Dec. 17, 2003, at the exact moment and location of the original flight, a replica of the "Wright Flyer" will attempt a 12-second flight commemorating the first flight 100 years ago. Visitors will have the chance to relive this watershed moment in the history of mankind in the historic surroundings of the Wright Brothers' National Memorial. A 100-aircraft fly-by will be another highlight of the celebration. During the centennial week, the Experimental Aircraft Association's Countdown to Kitty Hawk Pavilion will be on site for visitors to see aviation-oriented exhibits. The pavilion will have just completed a national tour of major aviation events this year.

Opportunities for visitors enjoying the centennial celebration to achieve some of their own "firsts" abound in the Outer Banks. Adventurers with ambition matching the Wright Brothers' can test their skill at air-borne activities such as hang-gliding, tandem tow gliding, and parasailing. The largest natural sand dunes on the Atlantic Coast exist at Jockey's Ridge State Park, which offers first-time hang-gliders a relatively anxiety-free spot for learning to fly. Soaring high above the Outer Banks' sandy beaches and peaceful marshes provides visitors with a unique perspective on the destination.

For those less enthralled with air adventures, water sports range from thrilling to tranquil. With miles of beautiful beaches, inlets and sounds, the Outer Banks offers ideal conditions for wind surfing, surfing, kite boarding and kayaking. Called the "Wind Surfing Capital of the East Coast," the Outer Banks has the steady winds, shallow sound waters and rolling ocean waves that windsurfers love. Acclaim for the destination's water sports doesn't end there. In fact, USA Today recently named the Outer Banks a top surfing destination. For visitors seeking a more relaxed pace, kayaking and kite- boarding are fun ways to experience the sights and sounds of unchartered waters and salt marshes.

Though the Outer Banks is conducive to adventure sports, the setting is equally well suited for relaxation. Centennial celebration visitors can enjoy peaceful walks on the beach, shelling and fishing. History buffs will revel in landmarks such as the Outer Banks' four lighthouses and the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. For another taste of the Outer Banks' rich history, visitors can tour museums such as the North Carolina Maritime Museum, Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum or the Frisco Native American Museum & Natural History Center. The mystery of "The Lost Colony" unfolds at outdoor performances of the Pulitzer-prize winning play on Roanoke Island throughout the year (except in December).

While the First Flight centennial celebration highlights many of the Outer Banks' historical and cultural attributes, the destination's natural beauty and charm lasts year round. So, while Wilbur and Orville's first flight took just 12 seconds, visitors may take days to come back to earth after their Outer Banks vacation.

For more information on the Centennial of Flight celebration, visit www.firstflighcentennial.org. For general information regarding travel, accommodations and events on the Outer Banks, visit the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau Web site at www.outerbanks.org.