The weekend is chock full of fun things to do in northern Moore County.

In Robbins, Halloween "on the L" will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. in the downtown Robbins. Folks can also tramp around the town's new Bear Creek Trail, or head out to the two fields where astronomers have gathered to enjoy the clearest week of skies in years for the Mid-Atlantic Star Party. (Visitors are welcome for a small charge.)

There will also be something for pottery lovers, too.

Around the Carthage area, folks can shop on Joel Road's five-mile yard sale Saturday. And, as he does every year, Ken Eder is holding open house. His company, Mideast Railroad Service, is one to call in case of a train wreck.

He's a collector, but not of small things like stamps or coins. Eder collects steam shovels and railroad trains, antique tractors, locomotives and Stanley Steamers.

Ken and Patti Eder open the doors to their Carthage museum in several barns at 644 Niagara Carthage Road and invite the public every year for an annual train and tractor show they call "100 Years of Progress." Volunteers pitch in to help. Last year, 3,000 visitors from 14 states signed the guest book -- and that's only the ones who signed. They add more every year.

"We will have a few more stores, and yes, we will have penny candy again," Patti Eder said. "That was such a big hit last year. Everywhere you looked, you saw people with little bags. My girls have added more to the doll house. I have more in the glass room, and Ken has a few more things in the motorcycle store. The Christmas room has changed. Don't tell the kids, but I think St. Nicholas and his wife will be there."

"Smokey Pokey" -- the steam locomotive Eder bought in Virginia -- has "been to the doctors" and will be back in good health pulling his full load around the track Eder finished just before last year's show.

"This year we plan on two passenger cars running and some new views to see," she said. "While you are riding Smokey Pokey, see how many faces are hiding in the trees. The sawmill will run again this year, headed up by Ken's father, Martin Eder. Father is 81 years old this year, he will not want to but we will need to make sure he takes a break. Ken also has some plans for more activity to be added to the saw mill."

Kids will find peddle tractors to ride, stilts to walk on, balancing boards to try out, and checkers and some other old-time games. There will be crafts to do, plays to watch, and a marbles shooting contest.

Saturday morning starts at 9 o'clock with a police escort out of the Moore County Fairgrounds, through Carthage and on to Eder's show grounds.

"Of course we will have food here -- so once again no dieting," Patti Eder said. "One last thing, some of our visitors went up to the five-mile yard sale by trolley last year and again we will take anyone up there that wants to go."

'Trick or Treat Robbins'

The party tonight in Robbins is called "Trick or Treat Robbins!" It features a kids' parade and costume contest at 6:30, followed by a pet parade and costume contest (sponsored by Robin's Nest pet shop) at 6:45. Next up is a contest for the best carved pumpkin chosen by judges from among finished jack-o'-lanterns brought to the party.

The Old Elise Depot is to be turned into a haunted train station. Visitors will vote for their favorite painted Halloween window as they stroll Middleton Street -- where merchants are going to be handing out candy. There are games for kids, "Trick or Trunkers" in the Fidelity Bank parking lot, and a bluegrass concert featuring the Grass Cats, sponsored by the new Middleton Mercantile Store at 7 p.m.

"Last year the kids had a great time," said Randall Moore of Deep River Coffee Company, the town's new marketing director. "This year will be even better."

The 1931 classic version of "Frankenstein" will be shown at 9 p.m. behind McDuffie Plumbing and Supply.

"Bring lawn chairs and blankets," Moore says.

Frogtown Pottery

Another treat is right on the way from Carthage to Robbins, or Robbins to Carthage.

On Saturday, the annual return of Frogtown Pottery Festival will take place at Robbins Crossing where N.C. 705 (the Pottery Highway) crosses N.C. 24-27 just outside town.

There'll be lots of potters setting out their wares, and, as always, plenty to eat. Potters are getting ready for next month's double festivals in Seagrove, and kilns up and down 705 have been turning out the goods.

Contact John Chappell at 783-5841 or by e-mail at jchappell@thepilot.com.