“There’s nothing to do around here!”

If I’ve heard that expression once, I’ve heard it a thousand times.

Hopefully, with fingers and toes crossed, I will not hear it this week. That’s because there promises to be plenty of entertaining events to choose from for Roanoke-Chowan area citizens (as well as visitors) starting on Friday, Oct. 5.

It all begins with a traditional event held in early October…the 30^th annual Meherrin Pow Wow. That event is slated for Oct. 5-7 at the Meherrin Tribal Grounds located on NC 11 between Ahoskie and Murfreesboro.

If you’ve never attended a Pow Wow hosted by any Native American tribe, you have missed out on a wealth of tradition, customs, and pageantry.

The bright, festive colors of Native American clothing is something to behold; as is the many styles of “dance” they stage before the public’s eyes.

Grand Entry – a “must see” for the spectators – is slated for 7 p.m. on Friday; 12 noon and 6 p.m. on Saturday; and 12 noon on Sunday.

Gates open each day at 10 a.m. Admission is $6 for adults ($5 for senior citizens); and $4 for children (free for those ages 5-and-under).

For those unaware of the Meherrin tribe, they trace their roots back to over 1,000 years ago in northeastern North Carolina and southside Virginia. We know this to be true from the 1585 writings of English colonist and explorer Ralph Lane. He wrote, “Very neere [to the mouth of Chowan River]…directly from the West runneth a most notable River, and in all those parts most famous, called the River of Moratoc [Roanoke]. This River openeth into the broad Sound of Weapomeiok [Albemarle] . . . Moratoc it selfe . . . is a principall Towne upon that River . . . The Mangoaks . . . is another kinde of Savages dwelling more to the westward of said River.” NOTE: “Mangoak” was a term for Meherrin (and other Iroquois collectively).

If you want to take a break from the festive Pow Wow, then make the short drive to Aulander for their 5^th annual Peanut Festival. That event opens at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6 and features activities throughout the day.

Included on the Peanut Fest agenda is a 5K and Fun Run (9 am); antique tractor display (9 am – 2 pm); opening ceremony (10 am); food and craft vendors (10 am – 7 pm); games and activities (10:30 am – 5 pm); Punt/Pass/Kick tournament (11 am); cornhole tournament (12 noon); Little Mr. and Miss Peanut Contest (12:15 pm); and the popular “Aulander’s Got Talent Show” (3:45 pm).

Additionally, there will be plenty of music throughout the day featuring Blue Grass, Richard Simmons, the Roanoke Jubilees, and the Breadwine & Blooze Band, who closes out the day with a performance from 5-7 p.m.

Looking for more to do on Oct. 6? Well, how ‘but considering support for the Hertford County Peace Officers Association (HCPOA). They will conduct a basketball tournament beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Ahoskie Christian School gym. Teams participating in the tournament will feature local law enforcement personnel.

Admission is $5 per person. Proceeds will benefit the HCPOA’s “Shop With a Cop” program that provides Christmas gifts for local children in need.

The HCPOA will also offer lunch and dinner plates for sale during the basketball tournament.

And, last but not least, if football is your passion, then there are six home games featuring R-C area teams this coming weekend.

On Friday night, football fans can choose from the following games to attend: Bethel Christian at Northeast-Hobgood; First Flight at Bertie; Manteo at Gates County; Northeastern at Hertford County; and Pungo Academy at Lawrence Academy.

On Saturday, Chowan University hosts Bowie State in a 1 p.m. game at James G. Garrison Stadium in Murfreesboro.

Okay…..now are you going to tell me there’s nothing to do here locally?

 

Cal Bryant is the Editor of Roanoke-Chowan Publications. Contact him at cal.bryant@r-cnews.com or 252-332-7207.