MOUNTAIN SPORTS FESTIVAL IS A SPRING FAVORITE

*MOUNTAIN SPORTS FESTIVAL on New Weekend, May 30 - June 1

The Mountain Sports Festival returns to Asheville on a new weekend: May 30 – June 1, 2008, with an impressive line-up of events to entice professional and amateur athletes to test their meddle in mountain sports.

The festival features professional and amateur level competitions in paddling, adventure racing, cycling, running, disc golf, climbing and many other outdoor sporting events.

Competitions take place throughout the weekend beginning with Rock 2 Rock Trail Run in Black Mountain and the Wild Wing Disc Golf Variety Show at Festival Village in Asheville's Carrier Park on the French Broad River, which will showcase disc golf tricks and shots. Music performed by local and national acts will keep the energy high from Friday through Sunday.

FESTIVAL HOURS
Fri., May, 30: 5 to 10 p.m.
Sat. May 31: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sun. June 1: 12 noon to 6 p.m.

PLACE AND DIRECTIONS
Besides competition, athletes and spectators alike will find plenty of action in the Asheville area. The hub of the action is located at the Festival Village at Carrier Park, which is located on Amboy Road along the French Broad River in west Asheville.

Asheville is the venue for a long list of competitive events coupled with entertainment, demos and exhibitors. Lots of sports festivals offer competition, but few add the mountainous terrain to take it up a notch for serious challenge and endurance.

The annual sports fest all kicks off on May 30 at 5:00 p.m. when the Festival Village goes into high gear with a wide variety of exhibitors showing off the latest gear, hot tricks, demos and clinics. A full line up of live entertainment keeps the Festival Village Main Stage hopping all weekend long, plus a great assortment of food and drink.

Saturday features a full schedule of high-energy competition. Highlights include the Mountain Disc Golf Experience, Wheel Ride for Food Metric, and 1/2-Metric Century Rides.

Noteworthy on Saturday is Mission Hospital’s Sunset Stampede and Wondergirl 5k. There will also be a Dodgeball Tournament and the Black Dome MSF Climbing Competition. 

On Sunday, competitive events remain in high gear with day two of the Mountain Disc Golf Experience, Sand Volleyball Tournament, and Dodgeball Competition. Also, aspiring athletes can attend the Ultimate Frisbee Clinic.

THE KIDS ZONE
This weekend of sports competition and activities is designed for adults and children. Kids can test their skills in a variety of fun races and competitions in the Merrell Kids Zone.

A host of free clinics for children include cycling, skateboarding, hula hooping, disc golf, basketball, and volleyball. Many races offer young athlete categories. On Friday, children can participate in the Black Dome Kid’s Climbing Competition on Friday. Throughout the weekend, the free Iron Kid Competition in Festival Village at Carrier Park is sure to be a favorite.

When not out at the races, the audience can enjoy the Festival Village, which is a lovely place to be to watch the scenic French Broad River in west Asheville. The Village will be packed with outdoor adventure gear exhibitors demonstrating all the latest equipment. They'll provide useful tips and techniques on how to best use their gear.

The Festival Village Main Stage will begin Friday night and will go through Sunday afternoon. It will provide something for everyone with a broad mix of live music. 

For more information and the latest updates about the 2008 Mountain Sports Festival in Asheville and surrounding venues, visit www.mountainsportsfestival.com. Tel: 828-251-4029.

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