THOMASVILLE – Marge Hammond and Mark Scott will be welcoming approximately 1,100 cyclists, including NASCAR driver Bobby Labonte, as they stop in the Chair City for an overnight stay Tuesday.

Thomasville is one of six cities serving as overnight stops for cyclists who are participating in the 2009 Cycle N.C. “Mountains to the Coast” bike ride, which began Saturday in Blowing Rock.

According to Scott, director of Thomasville Tourism, a mid-morning pit stop in Thomsaville three years ago helped entice Cycle N.C. officials to make the Chair City an overnight stay this year. During the brief stop, Mayor Joe Bennett handed out Big Chair lapel pins and Hammond, a longtime Thomasville Medical Center volunteer known as “Purple Grandma,” hugged cyclists, Scott said.

Serving as an overnight stay for the event, the city of Thomasville and Baptist Children’s Home of N.C. have big plans for the cyclists.

At noon, the majority of cyclists will begin arriving at the Baptist Children’s Home from Waston Avenue, going under the archway entrance to be greeted by staff members and vendors. Prior to arriving at Baptist Children’s Home, the cyclists will come off Martin Luther King Drive, turn left on Main Street and cross the railroad tracks, Scott said.

“We hope businesses might see fit to either close or let half their employees leave for half an hour between 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to line the course,” Scott said.

The Baptist Children’s Home, which will have sleeping quarters for the cyclists, will provide entertainment, food and an evening outdoor movie. The Baptist Children’s Home children also will sing, the East Davidson High School Jazz Band will perform, and Miss Teen North Carolina will make an appearance.

The city of Thomasville will provide bicycle-guided tours of the Civil War Trail and free range balls and golf lessons at Winding Creek Golf Course, and live music will be going on at the bandstand and amphitheater in downtown Thomasville.

Labonte also is expected to provide remarks at a ceremony that evening.

Scott said he anticipates the event will have a $75,000 economic impact on Thomasville.

dignasiak@hpe.com | 888-3657