AHOSKIE – Planning sessions are underway for the second annual Ahoskie Heritage Day to be held the first weekend in October.

The Downtown Merchant’s Association of Ahoskie has taken on the responsibility of coordinating and planning events for this year’s event and the invitation is out to everyone in the community to come and be a part of making Heritage Day a huge success.

The Downtown Merchant’s Association has identified many venues and have been fortunate to have volunteer chairpersons for these committees.

Each and every committee needs and welcomes more volunteers to help with the work that must be done in order for this event to be the success that the Ahoskie community deserves.

&uot;Ahoskie Heritage Day is a time when we can showcase our community, offer shopping opportunities and in general demonstrate that true southern hospitality to all who come to visit with us on that weekend,&uot; said Ahoskie Mayor Linda Blackburn.

The Downtown Merchants Association is offering sponsorships for this year’s event by any business or individual in the community.

Sponsorship at the Gold Level is $500; Silver Level is $200; Bronze Level is $100 and Friends of Ahoskie Heritage Day will be recognized with donations of $99 or less.

All

sponsors and friends of Ahoskie Heritage Day will be recognized in the publicity for the event.

Donations can be made to Downtown Merchants Association, PO Box 547, Ahoskie, NC 27910.

While the main activities of Ahoskie Heritage Day are scheduled for Saturday, October 1, the Downtown Merchant’s Association is working diligently to put in place some Friday evening activities in and around the old Ahoskie High School area off Academy Street.

More information will be made public as these plans materialize.

For Saturday, October 1, just a few of the activities being planned will be the yard sales at the Southern Bank area on Main Street, a Dog Contest at the yard sale area,

food vendors up and down Main Street, Battle of the Bands at No Man’s Land, Indian Summer Craft Show & Sale at the Gym at the Old Ahoskie High School, a 5 K Run hosted by Viquest, a Vaudeville Show at the Gallery Theatre, a Health Fair hosted by Roanoke Chowan Hospital, Pie Eating Contest, Pumpkin Decorating, Bicycle Rodeo

and Art Show.

Event organizers are also hopeful that civic groups will again participate with food and events.

The Heritage Day activities will close again this year with what is sure to be a great

fireworks display by

Tommy Hurdle & group with Grande Illusions.

The Merchant’s Association is working on establishing two bandstands on Main Street which will allow for a wide variety of activities and musical events.

&uot;All in all, this is shaping up at this early stage to be even bigger and better than last’s year’s event,&uot; Blackburn noted.

Although activities are centrally located in the downtown area, Ahoskie Heritage Day was started – and continues to be – a townwide event.

Folks who come to Ahoskie to enjoy Heritage Day activities are invited to stay to shop, eat and generally enjoy the Ahoskie community.

If you are interested in participating in any of the events scheduled so far, or if you have an idea for a way in which you can participate, please contact the Downtown Merchant’s Association, P.O. Box 547, Ahoskie, NC 27910.

Stan Dixon is Chairperson for the Downtown Merchant’s Association.

Publicity for the event will be chaired by Linda Blackburn;

Yard Sales will be chaired by Linda Blackburn; Food Venues will be chaired by Cheryl Slachta; Exhibits will be chaired by Lisa Newsome;

Battle of the Bands will be chaired by Brenda Velaquez; other staged musical/events/performances will be chaired by Faye Riddick; Faithbased events/activities are being chaired by Rev. David Lewis; Civic Group activities/events will be chaired by Harriett Byrum, and the Art Show is being chaired by Barbara Perry.

You can contact any of the individuals listed here either personally or by writing to the Downtown Merchants Association, P.O. Box 547, Ahoskie, NC 27910 and mark your correspondence &uot;To The Attention&uot; of the specific individual/venue.