Staff Reporter

Big things are happening this weekend with the annual Pumpkin Festival expected to draw thousands on Saturday and a bicycling event that will increase the town's population by a third on Sunday.

Elkin will become the temporary home of nearly 1,000 cyclists plus their families for Cycle North Carolina, a statewide event that puts Elkin along the eight-stop route from West Jefferson to the coast. Attendees will use the muncipal park in Elkin for a stop over on the tour designed to promote physical fitness and health.

The 450-mile ride also focuses on providing economic impact and publicity to rural communities across the state, while showcasing the state's scenic attractions and cultural diversity.

Organized by North Carolina Amateur Sports (NCAS), a non-profit organization in Raleigh, this year's Cycle North Carolina, which expects 1,000 participants, will pass through Elkin on its way to the coast and its finish in Currituck.

Riders will be in Elkin Sunday for their second overnight stop with other beneficiaries of the event include West Jefferson, Greensboro, Mebane, Louisburg, Roanoke Rapids and Edenton.

"Basically we had to decide if we were going to take a northern, central or southern route," Sherry West, marketing director for NCAS said Wednesday. "We try to stay within 60 to 70 miles a day, so we just mapped it out via the mileage. We definitely like to showcase the smaller towns in North Carolina. It's even better if they have other things going on when they get to town," she said.

"You'll see cyclists coming in anywhere from 11:30 a.m. to 4 to 5 p.m.," West said. "Most will camp at the park, but we do offer indoor camping and some will stay in hotels around the city as well."

Laurette Leagon at the Yadkin Valley Chamber of Commerce in Elkin is hoping the influx of people combined with the Pumpkin Festival crowd will mean an economic boon for the town.

"Number one it's a Sunday and Sundays are traditionally slow for lodging establishments," Leagon said. "We take pre-orders for dinner in the park for Sunday and we only had 237 people pre-order dinner. That means hundreds of riders and their trailing companions will be dining in local restuarants."

Leagon said there will be five shuttle buses to take riders to destinations throughout Elkin.

"All the motels in Jonesville, there's a downtown stop and one at the commercial district along North Bridge Street," Leagon said. Residents should remember the riders' presence.

"If they (locals) had plans to walk at the park Sunday or early Monday, they may want to delay that or find another walking trail," Leagon said. "I think it will be a little tough for them."

Cycle North Carolina is just one of the happenings during the weekend, which promises to be a busy and fun time for the entire area. This weekend's 11th Annual Yadkin Valley Pumpkin Festival will offer a wide array of events ranging from the second annual Pumpkin Weigh-Off, to non-stop music at the Main Stage in downtown Elkin from 8:45 a.m. Saturday morning until 5 p.m. that evening.

The pumpkin weigh-off will be Saturday morning at Smith Phillips Building Supply located at 257 Standard St. The winner will be announced later that morning at the main stage during a performance by "Rude Mood".

For those interested in a more hands-on approach to the gourd-of-honor, there will be two pumpkin pie eating contests sponsored by Yadkin Valley General Store on the second stage at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Numerous local and regional artists will be performing at the two stages throughout the day. There will be performances by Pam Wurdeman's Academy of Dance Arts and Performance, Karate International, Flip Flop and Fly Gymnastics. The Foothill Cloggers and Wilkes County Line Dancers, will join various musicians and vocalists to provide a plethora of entertainment for this year's Pumpkin Festival.

Another event associated with the festival is the Foothills Arts Council annual Morrsion Memorial Juried Art Show in honor of the late artist Clifford Morrison. Entries will be on display at the Foothill Arts Council Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the winner announced at a reception Sunday at 2 p.m.

For full details of the festival see the special edition inside.