ELIZABETHTON – Today is the last day of the Covered Bridge Festival, but it will be a big day crammed with things to see, music to hear and plenty of activities for the entire family. It will all end with a bang with a big fireworks show from Lynn Mountain at 10 tonight.
The full day of events begins early with the Covered Bridge 5 Kilometer Race and 3 Kilometer Walk. Registration begins at 6:30 a.m. The race begins at 7:30 and the walk begins at 7:45.
The Community Yard Sale will begin at 8 a.m. and will go until 2 p.m. on E Street. In the unlikely event of rain, the sale will be relocated to the Elizabethton Boys and Girls Club, 104 Hudson Drive.
For a different perspective on the festival, the Elizabethton Municipal Airport is offering scenic flights over the city from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. The flights are $20 per person.
The late morning hours are focused on children and children’s activities. Kid’s Island is the place were children can enjoy the festival. Activities include train rides, carnival games, face painting and play on inflatable rides, rock climbing and fishing.
Speaking of fishing, Kid’s Fishing Day begins at 10 a.m. and goes to 2 p.m. at Kid’s Island. It is sponsored by the U.S. Forest Service and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
The latest rendition of one of the oldest Covered Bridge traditions takes place at 11 with the Little Mr. and Miss Hillbilly Contest, sponsored by Walmart. The competition takes place on the main stage.
The weekly Cruise-in of the Carter County Car Club will once again provide festival goers with great close up views of many classic cars. The Cruise-in begins at its normal time of 5 p.m. in the 400 Block of Elk Avenue in downtown Elizabethton.
Entertainment on the Bridge begins early on Saturday with Rock Night and will be highlighted by the last performance by one of the most popular and long lasting groups to play the Covered Bridge Celebration.
Year in and year out The Collegians have brought Carolina Beach Music to the Covered Bridge Stage. This is the group’s last year as the members will be retiring this summer.
The entertainment begins at 2:50 p.m. with the Mountain Rhythm Cloggers. At 3:30 the Watts Dancers will perform. The Trailblazers Cloggers will follow at 4:15 p.m.
Acoustifried takes the stage at 5 p.m., followed by the Bullseye Band at 6. The Jerry Pierce Band will start at 7.
The Collegians will perform their sentimental farewell concert at 8:30 until 10 p.m. At the end of their show the Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Tennessee Fireworks show, starting at 10.