Published: 06:00 AM, Fri Mar 05, 2010
Get ready to Rumba! Annual 5K race and festival comes to Lumberton
LUMBERTON - This weekend's annual Rumba on the Lumber 5k race is much more than just a 5k race. The event is quickly becoming Lumberton's fastest-growing festival, with up to 10,000 people expected to fill the streets of downtown Lumberton with a hunger for running, pasta and chili.
"It's quite the event," said Rich DeFalco, president of the Robeson Road Runners for the last four years. The organization presents the Rumba on the Lumber each year.
"We've got so much going on that I won't even be able to run in our own race," he said.
While the 5k race will start at 11 a.m. Saturday, the events surrounding the race will begin the night before. On Friday night, there will be a Pasta Party featuring musical entertainment by Jim Quick & The Coastline Band. The party will be from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Bill Sapp Center in Lumberton.
On Saturday, the festivities begin at 10 a.m. with a Family Fun Mile, which is free.
"The Fun Mile is a great way for families to get involved in exercise together," said DeFalco. "That's really our goal, to promote family fitness. The rest - the live music, the party, the cook-off - is icing on the cake."
DeFalco said he's expecting more than 2,000 children and family members to participate.
The 5k main event will begin at 11 a.m., following the Fun Mile, and will have up to 700 participants, DeFalco said.
Both races will start in the Lumberton Downtown Plaza.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Lumbee River EMC Kidz Zone will be open in Downtown Plaza and will feature a bevy of activities for kids, including face painting, a rock wall, inflatable rides, contests and prizes. The Kids Zone is free and open to the public.
From 11:30 to 2 p.m., hungry crowds and runners alike will find relief of a spicy nature during the Bud Light Chili Cook-Off.
The cook-off is free for 5k racers, and $5 for everyone else. The admission allows you to sample as many different chili dishes as your taste buds can withstand.
"It's one of the biggest chili cook-offs in the state," said DeFalco. "And the food can get pretty hot - and weird."
DeFalco said judges will award top honors to the spiciest chili, the best tasting chili and the chili with the strangest ingredient.
"We've had people create a chili with alligator," said DeFalco.
Last year's cook-off brought more than 40 competing teams, many of whom wore costumes to add an element of humor to their presentation.
Goldrush, a Lumberton-based beach and classic vocal group, will perform during the cook-off.
The cook-off will be held on Water Street in downtown Lumberton. There also will be other Rumba-related events going on throughout the day, including an arts and crafts show on 3rd and Water streets from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and a 4-H Talent Show at the Carolina Civic Center, beginning at 1 p.m. Entry to the show is free.
"The Rumba has really grown over the years," said DeFalco. "It keeps getting bigger and better. And it's something that Lumberton's becoming well-known for."
Rumba on the Lumber festival
When: Friday and Saturday. See schedule for locations and ticket information.
Information: www.robesonroadrunners.com
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
FRIDAY
6 to 9 p.m. The Pasta Party is at the Bill Sapp Center at 1100 N. Cedar St., and will feature a performance by Jim Quick and the Coastline Band. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door.
SATURDAY
10 a.m. A 1-mile fun run begins. Admission is free.
11 a.m. The 5k race begins. Registration is required and costs $35 the day of the event and $30 in advance. Late registration and packet pick-up is Saturday from 8:30 to 10:45 p.m. at Black Water Grille. It is at the corner of 3rd and Elm Streets.
11:30 to 2 p.m. The chili cook-off is on Water Street Goldrush will provide entertainment. Chili enthusiasts can pay $5 to sample all the cook-off entries. The cook-off is free to 5k racers.
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free Kidz Zone is in Downtown Plaza, featuring face painting, a rock wall, inflatable rides, contests and prizes.
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Arts & Crafts Show is along 3rd and Water streets.
1 p.m. The 4-H Talent Show is at the Carolina Civic Center at 315 North Chestnut St. Admission is free.
Staff writer Brian Dukes can be reached at dukesb@fayobserver.com or 486-3523.