The 64th NC Rhododendron Festival - June 18th and 19th

This festival celebrates the blooming of the world's largest display of naturally blooming rhododendron, high atop Roan Mountain. Friday's festivities include the first round of competition in both divisions of the NC Rhododendron Festival Pageant, beginning at 7:00pm at Bowman Middle School.
Friday also features an old-fashioned square dance with a live bluegrass band. Beginning at 8:00pm, the town of Bakersville blocks off Main Street and dances to music by The Wisemans. Saturday's activities include a family-friendly street fair with arts, crafts and food vendors, a classic car show, helicopter rides, tours of Roan Mountain, a 10K run, live entertainment on the Creekwalk and a ducky derby. Saturday evening features the second round of competition and crowning of the 2011 NC Rhododendron Queens beginning at 7:00pm at Bowman Middle School. The festival concludes with a final round of square dancing and live music on Main Street, starting at 8:00pm. For more information, visit www.bakersville.com
or contact Bob Hensley at bobhensley@ccvn.comor 828-688-3541.

BURNSVILLE, NC METRIC BIKE RIDE - The 16th Riding

Not a bad place to be in late April... (Photo by Michael Davis, 2006)
(From http://www.burnsvillemetric.com/)

Mark Your Calendars!

April 24th 2010 - Blue Ridge Beauty, Burnsville, and Biking - The ride takes you very near The Cove at Celo Mountain (just off of 80 S.) So bike on up or drive up and visit our beautiful community while you are here.

Annually held on the last Saturday of April, the Burnsville Metric is a great way to start off your cycling season. It is casual but well-supported and comprises some of the flattest, most scenic roads in Yancey and Mitchell counties. Burnsville’s Town Square makes a dramatic location for the registration/start/finish proceedings and is also the highest elevation of the ride, a modest 2821’. For the first 36 miles the route is mostly flat and follows the Cane River through the small communities of Higgins, Lewisburg, Egypt and Ramseytown. Then, proceeding upstream beside the wide Toe River, the route passes Huntdale, Pigeon Roost and Green Mountain. There are moderate hills to climb between miles 36 and 52, but those climbs, especially along Hwy. 80-N, provide stunning views of Mt. Mitchell, Roan Mountain and other nearby peaks. Of course there is the final climb back up to the town square. Not much to do about that but ride it.

Details:

61.5 miles; 3 well-supplied rest stops
Roving SAG support
Ham radio communication provided by MARC (Mayland Amateur Radio Club)

REGISTRATION/packet pick-up at Burnsville Town Center 7:15am – 8:45am

Ride begins promptly at 9am

Helmets are required. All riders must sign the waiver; riders under 18 must have a parent co-sign the waiver. All riders must obey rules of the road – we are sharing these roads with motorists.

FOR PHOTOS OF THE INCREDIBLE BEAUTY ALONG THE ROUTE: http://www.bicycleinn.com/BurnsvilleMetric03_1Downtown.htm