By CAL BRYANT/EDITOR

cal.bryant@roanoke-chowannewsherald.com

AHOSKIE, N.C.

It’s back … bigger and better than ever!

After a rain-soaked debut in 2018, Fall Fling returns to downtown Ahoskie on Saturday, Oct. 19, where a full day (sun-up to well past sundown) awaits event patrons.

“I cannot speak to the amount of work Amy (Braswell, Executive Director of the Ahoskie Chamber of Commerce) did in pulling together the event for Fall Fling 18, which we know was plagued by on-and-off rain showers that day, but she deserves kudos for a job well done,” said Fall Fling 19 co-organizer John Fritz.

“We are blessed with numerous volunteers to make the 2019 event something that folks will talk about the next day and beyond,” Fritz added. “We warmly welcome those participating this year as well as what we hope are hundreds and hundreds of patrons.”

“Our intent is to focus and promote our downtown and local businesses, all in celebration of Ahoskie’s history, heritage, and community spirit,” noted Braswell. “Please consider joining us in downtown Ahoskie on Oct. 19 as we usher in the fall season.”

Fall Fling 19 features a 5K Run, Children’s Activity Center, Car Show competition, Rotary Pancake & Sausage Breakfast, Food Trucks/Vendors, Community Yard Sale, and a live radio broadcast. Later in the afternoon and into the evening hours, three bands will perform on the Main Stage located near No Man’s Land Park (at the railroad crossing on Main Street). Street dancing is encouraged!

Food trucks and other food vendors will be on hand, offering a variety of menu items.

Arts/crafts vendors will line both sides of Main Street in the downtown business district. Their booths will open to the public at 9 a.m.

The festivities begin at 8 a.m. with an opening ceremony near the Ahoskie Town Hall. Meanwhile, a pancake and sausage breakfast will be served from 8 to 10:30 a.m. at the Ahoskie Kiwanis Club (located on West Main St. across from the old Ahoskie High School gym).

Saturday morning’s events include a 5K Run, an Art Show (at St. Thomas Episcopal Church), and a Car Show (registration opens at 9 a.m. in the area of Southern Bank on East Main St.).

Be sure to bring the kids because there is a Children’s Activity Center that opens at 10 a.m. in the empty lot adjacent to Southern Bank. Activities there include a petting zoo, bouncy house, slide, cotton candy, pony rides, and pumpkin painting.

On the Main Stage, Crossroads Music and the Eric Dunlow Band will perform at noon and 1:30 p.m. respectively. In the same area, Quick Trigger Brewery will begin serving craft beer, wine and cider at 2 p.m.

By the time late afternoon arrives, be sure to put on your dancing shoes as three bands will perform on the Main Stage: RT Johnson (5 to 6:30 p.m.), The Legacy Motown Revue Band (7 to 8:30 p.m.) and Breadwine & Blooze Band (9 to 10:30 p.m.).

As an added attraction, there is a Costume Review at 6:30 p.m. for the “The Basement” — a haunted attraction scheduled to open on Oct. 18. That review will take place on the stage located at the Ahoskie Town Hall (Main and Mitchell streets).

There is no admission charge to Fall Fling, which is sponsored by the Ahoskie Regional Visitors Center, Ahoskie Chamber of Commerce, Town of Ahoskie, Jernigan House Bed & Breakfast, Roanoke-Chowan Community College, Golden Skillet, 99.3 The Bull, Enviva, Perdue, Chowan University, Roanoke-Chowan Community Health Center, Roanoke Connect powered by Roanoke Electric, Resers Fine Foods, Central Ford of Ahoskie, WDLZ – Earl 98.3 FM, and GFL Entertainment.

Public parking will be in areas designated by signs. Main Street will be closed to vehicles throughout the event.