AHOSKIE – Summer may be drawing to a close, but there’s still time to have a little fun.

Ahoskie is the place to be this weekend as the town rolls out the proverbial red carpet and puts on its best Southern charm by playing host to its 11^th annual Heritage Day.

The two-day event (Friday and Saturday) is packed full of fun for the entire family. Put your dancing shoes on Friday and head out to the Ahoskie Creek Amphitheater to enjoy one of North Carolina’s most popular musical acts – the Band of Oz at 7 p.m.

Saturday is the event’s busiest day, beginning with the annual Heritage Day parade at 10 a.m. following a route from Main Street to the Ahoskie Creek Park. “Two Wheel Thunder” kicks off the parade as up to 300 motorcycle enthusiasts will ride to raise money for the Wounded Warriors Project, the Benevolent Police Foundation, and the Ahoskie Public Library.

The activities crank-up at the Park/Amphitheater following the parade. There, Heritage Day patrons can browse through a wide variety of vendors, to include the Sunshine Corner Gift Shop, Roanoke Electric Cooperative, Heads Up Sun Visors, KOALA Woodworking, Native Expression Studio, Denyce Hall, Dominion Power, Wal-Greens Company,  Cornwell Creations/Q Lamps, Beauty Mark,  Hampton VA Medical Center, Community CAT Advocacy,  Scentsy Independent Consultant, Casper’s Classic Designs, Bernadette Jones, Origami Owl, Princess on a Mission, and the Mud Diggers 4 Wheeler Club.

Be sure to come hungry as Heritage Day features plenty of food vendors, including L &W Catering, Ahoskie United Methodist Church Bake Sale, Break Time Express, Cold Stone Creamery, Sweet Ma’s Ribs & More, KC Concessions, Vincent’s, Son Shine Lemonade, Party In A Pita, Freddy’s Philly Favorites, Big Dawg Concessions, and the Ahoskie Chamber of Commerce tent serving up hit fudge sundaes.

The Ahoskie Public Library’s 7th annual Backyard BBQ Cook-off is also part of Heritage Day. After the judges select the winners of this annual event, all of that slow-roasted pork will be finely chopped and served to the public. BBQ sandwiches and BBQ plates will be available from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Plates ($10 each) will include stewed potatoes, slaw and hushpuppies. BBQ by the pound ($10) will also be available, while it lasts. Sandwiches are $3.50 each or two for $6. All proceeds benefit the Ahoskie Public Library Building Fund.

Saturday’s agenda also includes a horseshoes tournament and a golf ball drop, featuring two cash prizes, sponsored by the Ahoskie Chamber of Commerce.

Music returns to the Amphitheater stage from 2-4:30 p.m. Saturday with Ahoskie’s own K.B. & The Shifters Band. After a brief break, the popular Steve Owens & The Summertime Band rounds out the entertainment beginning at 7 p.m.

Also part of Heritage Day is the annual Roanoke-Chowan Fine Arts Club Show and Sale. That event will be held from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday in the Parrish Hall of St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church.