AHOSKIE – Ahoskie’s 13th annual Heritage Day kicks off Friday event and runs through Saturday night.

There are numerous events for the young and old to enjoy, the majority of which will occur at the Ahoskie Creek Recreational Complex and Amphitheater.

Admission and parking are free.

Friday’s (Sept. 9) schedule calls for an official welcome from Ahoskie Mayor Jimmie Rowe at 6:45 p.m. at the Amphitheater stage. Local DJ Jay Jenkins of “Shagging on the Beach” will provide music followed by The Embers, featuring Craig Woodard, hitting the Amphitheater stage from 7-11 p.m.

Meanwhile, in the area behind the stage, cook teams will set up shop to begin the process of slow-roasting pigs overnight as part of the annual North Carolina Pork Council sanctioned BBQ Cook Off, an event held to benefit the Ahoskie Public Library.

Saturday’s (Sept. 10) schedule starts bright and early with the VIDANT Wellness Center 5K Run at 8 a.m. and Children’s Fun Run at the Amphitheater. Winners will be announced at the Amphitheater at 9:15 a.m.

Judging for the BBQ Contest begins at 9:30 a.m.

Also cranking up at 9:30 a.m. is the annual Heritage Day Art Show and Sale, to be held until 5 p.m. at the Fellowship Hall of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, located off Main Street.

The annual Heritage Day Parade (preceded by the roar of the Two Wheel Thunder Motorcycle Parade) starts at 10 a.m. on Main Street and follows a route to Pembroke Ave. and then to the Recreational Complex.

The Ahoskie Chamber of Commerce tent opens at 12 noon near the Amphitheater stage. There, visitors can purchase tickets to the Ahoskie Rotary Club’s popular Golf Ball Drop Contest. Also, that area will be the site throughout the afternoon of old-time demonstrations of spinning wheels, loom weaving/knitting and cross stitch, 4-H History display, corn sheller, art & pictorial history display, and a model tobacco barn and demonstration of tobacco tying.

The Bertie High School Band, Hertford County High Band, and Hertford County Middle School Band will participate in a Battle of the Bands from 12 noon until 1 p.m.

The Two Wheel Thunder Motorcycle Show/Contest, along with their silent auction, begins at 12 noon on the east end of Edgewood Drive.

Registration for the 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament begins at 12 noon on Camlin Street.

The Ahoskie Community Choir performs at 1 p.m. on the Amphitheater stage.

Three other events also begin at 1 p.m. – a Horseshoe Tournament (two-person teams) located to the left of the main picnic shelter at the Recreational Complex; a “learn to play” Disc Golf clinic at the dead end of Camlin Street.; and the Antique Tractor and Car Show, located along the banks of the Ahoskie Creek on the south side of Edgewood Drive.

Members of the local Meherrin Indian Tribe will perform a “Smoke Dance” at 1:30 p.m.

A Work Horse team demonstration/competition and wagon rides will be held from 2-5 p.m. in the Live Stock area.

The Choanoke Indians dance demonstration begins at 2:30 p.m.

At 3 p.m. there will be a K-9 demonstration on the grounds of the Rec Complex.

Also at 3 p.m. is a Forge & Farrier demonstration; roping demonstration; and a display of alpacas and goats, and their products, in the Live Stock area.

The Moonshine Band will take the Amphitheater stage from 3-6:15 p.m. Be sure to enjoy the music of DJ Jay Jenkins at other times during the day and night.

The Disk Golf Skins Shoot Out Tournament (on the back nine of the course begins at 4 p.m.

Saturday’s featured entertainment is the Band of Oz. They will perform on the Amphitheater stage from 7-11 p.m.

There will be a fireworks display at 9:15 p.m.

There will be exhibits, crafts, rides, and food vendors throughout the day.