Set between the Atlantic Ocean and the Currituck Sound, The Sanderling Resort in Duck, North Carolina has long served as a gateway to the quieter, more historic side of the Outer Banks. This March, the oceanfront resort will host Feather & Form, a three-day heritage weekend celebrating the region’s deep roots in waterfowling, sporting art, and coastal conservation.
Taking place March 20 through March 22, 2026, the immersive experience invites guests to explore the traditions that helped shape Currituck County through a curated lineup of cultural programming, culinary events, and guided excursions across the northern Outer Banks.
Feather & Form Weekend Details
The weekend begins Friday evening with a Rare Decoy Sporting Arts Showcase, curated by the Carolina Decoy Collectors Association. Guests will view historic decoys while learning about the legendary Outer Banks carvers who helped define the region’s folk art tradition.
Robbie Smith, Sporting Art Director at Leland Little Auctions, will present insights into influential carvers including Alvirah Wright. Guests will also see live carving demonstrations from Currituck decoy carver Chandler Sawyer, an 11th-generation Outer Banks waterman whose work continues the legacy of master carver Bob Morse.
The evening continues with an oyster roast featuring Cousins’ Oysters, followed by cocktails, rum tastings from Outer Banks Distilling, fireside s’mores, and stargazing along the sound.
Saturday’s programming explores the history and landscape that shaped the region’s sporting culture. The day begins with the Earl Slick Breakfast, honoring the conservationist who founded The Sanderling Resort in 1985.
Guests will then travel to Historic Corolla Village for private guided tours of the Corolla Maritime Museum, the Whalehead Club, and the Currituck Beach Lighthouse. Later in the afternoon, participants will visit the historic Pine Island Hunt Club, built in 1913, where chefs Mac and Jeff Buben of Sea Chef Dockside Kitchen will prepare a traditional Hunt Camp Lunch.
Back at the resort, the evening concludes with a sunset cocktail class followed by a Wild Game Dinner at the Lifesaving Station prepared by chef Dean Neff, a 2024 James Beard Award finalist for Outstanding Chef.
Sunday morning invites guests to slow down and take in the natural beauty of the coast with sunrise birdwatching along the Atlantic Flyway, followed by a farewell breakfast.
The History Behind the Weekend
Feather & Form is inspired by the rich waterfowling history of Currituck County. Long before the Outer Banks became a popular vacation destination, the region’s marshes and sounds were known for their abundance of migrating birds along the Atlantic Flyway.
The area was once called “Coratank,” a Native American term meaning “land of the wild goose.” By the late nineteenth century, sportsmen traveled to Currituck to hunt waterfowl, giving rise to a thriving culture of hunt clubs, decoy carving, and conservation.
Many of the handcrafted wooden decoys produced in the region during that era are now considered important pieces of American folk art, and the traditions surrounding them continue to shape the identity of the northern Outer Banks today.
A Natural Setting for a Heritage Experience
The Sanderling Resort recently completed a significant redesign in celebration of its 40th anniversary, introducing new interiors by Ward + Gray and expanded gathering spaces designed for curated experiences like Feather & Form.
Packages for the weekend begin at $1,995 for single occupancy and $2,870 for double occupancy, including two nights of accommodations, meals, programming, and transportation to scheduled activities. A limited number of local participation packages are also available for guests who wish to attend without overnight accommodations.
For travelers interested in history, coastal culture, and the traditions that define the Outer Banks, Feather & Form offers a unique opportunity to experience that heritage firsthand at The Sanderling Resort.
