Bicycle Tours, Free Concerts, Wine Stomping, Classic Cars and a BBQ Battle Between North and South Carolina are just a few of the events in and around Elizabethtown, North Carolina over Columbus Day Weekend (Oct. 11-14).

The Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce invites anyone seeking a fun family, fall getaway to come to Bladen County over the holiday weekend for fun activities, tasty food and good music.

Kicking off the weekend is the arrival of over 1,000 bicyclists on Hwy 701S into Elizabethtown on Friday afternoon as part of the Cycle North Carolina Mountains to Coast Ride. Elizabethtown’s Town Hall and Ball Fields will serve as the final overnight camp for this 7-day, bicycle tour traveling along scenic back roads that showcase rural North Carolina. The bicyclist will be encouraged to visit local businesses and restaurants. The public is welcome to visit the camp and cheer on the bicyclists as they arrive.

Only a few short blocks away, The Pink Slips Band will take the stage at the Cape Fear Farmers Market for the 2nd Annual Pink Out starting from 6 p.m.-9p.m. Besides great oldies and beach music, participants can expect a memorial walk, special raffles and a pink ribbon remembrance and survivor wall.  This free concert is a fundraiser for Breast Cancer Awareness, sponsored by Cape Fear Valley Hospital Foundation, Tatum Real Estate, Barefoot Sandwich Shop, Barefoot Brew Wagon, Sassy Chick, Town of Elizabethtown, Trinity Methodist Church and the Bladen County Hospital.

On Saturday, Oct. 12, two great annual events will take place just miles apart and close enough to attend both.

The NC Grape Festival at Lu Mil Vineyards begins at 7 a.m. with a pancake breakfast, followed by the Grape Stomp at 11 a.m/ and music from noon until 3pm by the North Tower Band. There will be food trucks, vendors, bouncy houses and free fishing all day long. This a free event.

In Elizabethtown, the 26th Annual Made in the Shade Car and Truck Show will take place from 8.am. to 3 p.m. in the pecan grove near San Jose Mexican Restaurant on West Broad Street. This favorite event was postponed from August due to Tropical Storm Debby. Attendees can walk around a large selection of classic cars, trucks, and motorcycles. There is no admission charge.

On Sunday, Oct. 13, the Smithfield Cup will premiere the first BBQ competition between North and Carolina pitmasters. This new event will be staged on the grounds of picturesque Cape Fear Distillery as a select group of pitmasters from the Carolinas will prepare pork samplings from title sponsor Smithfield Foods. Patrons to the event will be provided samples of chopped barbecue, ribs and more and one Southern side from each team, and then cast their People’s Choice vote for the best BBQ. The winning team will be awarded the Smithfield Cup and display the trophy for one year in that winning state.

The Smithfield Cup is scheduled for noon-5 p.m., with general admission tickets $20. A limited amount of VIP Early Bird tickets are available for $40. That VIP experience gets patrons into the event at 11 a.m. (one hour before the General Admission ticket to beat the crowds) and allows for a second sampling of each of the team’s offerings. To purchase tickets, go to www.smithfieldcup.com.

Fall is the perfect time to visit Bladen County, known as Mother Nature’s Playground. All state parks and local trails are open. For those visiting from other areas, there are plenty of options for overnight accommodations and places to stay over the weekend. A listing of places to stay is available on the Chambers website here.