By Jarius M. Garner

Robbins Farmers Day Chairman

Come join us Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, for the 57th -annual Farmers Day celebration as music fills the air in downtown Robbins with a night of great entertainment, featuring -bluegrass and gospel music at its best. New for this year, we will have our first-ever Farmers Day 5K Run/Walk. The race will be part trail and part road, starting at 7 p.m.

Stroll down the streets of Robbins Friday, Aug. 3, as events kick off at 6 p.m. with foot-stomping bluegrass bands and -cloggers kicking up their heels. Friday, we will feature our exciting firemen competition with various fire departments participating in time agility events for top rankings and the coveted best overall award.

Don't miss the eclectic sounds and classic soul of The Jason Adamo Band as they rock the main stage from 9 p.m. to -midnight. Friday night at 10:15 p.m., look up as the sky explodes over Robbins with the largest fireworks display in the history of the event.

Friday and Saturday, the streets fill with artisans and crafters, horse tack, pony rides, pottery turning and train rides. Food booths with their great aromas from such festival favorites as bloomin' onions, funnel cakes, hamburgers, hot dogs, barbecue, baked potatoes, cotton candy, candy apples, homemade ice cream, frozen lemonade and kettle corn should not be missed.

Saturday morning, Aug. 4th, Robbins is bursting with excitement as the 57th annual Farmers Day Parade begins! See a variety of more than 400 horses, mules and wagons parade up Middleton Street, starting at 11 a.m. with more than 30,000 spectators cheering them on. The parade will include Miss North Carolina Arlie Honeycutt and Miss Moore County Summer Hennings with trophies presented to the proud winners in 21 categories.

As the parade ends, the town will be jumping with musical entertainment. Carnival and kiddie rides, rock wall climbing and a moonwalk will be enjoyable for the children. Enjoy watching guitar makers and gunsmithing. The Carolina Mule Association will present the traditional crowd-pleasing mule jump competition. Horses will demonstrate log pulling and log stacking.

Saturday, we present our fast-growing Antique Tractor Show with an Antique Tractor Parade beginning at 4 p.m., featuring more than 100 entries. Many pieces of antique equipment will be on display and demonstrated during the day.

Our crowd-pleasing lumberjack competition, put on by the South Atlantic Woodsmen's Association, will be back this year as lumberjacks display their skills with axes, crosscut saws and more. Don't be late as the wood and sawdust hit the air.

Music blasts throughout the streets from three stages located within the town with new bluegrass, gospel, light rock, beach and country-western bands. Also Saturday night, several spectacular national gospel groups will perform, including the Down East Boys, His Choice and "American Idol" contestant Victoria Huggins, from Saint Pauls, N.C.

Come and enjoy the great family entertainment. Don't miss the many unmentioned special events and attractions featured during the 57th anniversary.

All entertainment is provided at no charge, except for rides, thanks to all our great sponsors.

For more information, visit our Web page at www.robbinsfarmersday.com.