Touring Joara 2011: A European and Sports Car Tour is your chance to enjoy a 93-mile cruise through the North Carolina mountains and foothills that follows the footsteps of pioneers and patriots.
It doesn’t kickoff until 8:30 a.m. Oct. 1, but early registration ends Friday.
The event, sponsored by Exploring Joara Foundation, takes motorists through sections of the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail and includes a stop at the Berry site.
The Berry site houses the archaeological remains of Joara, a Native American village, and Fort San Juan, a Spanish settlement built in 1567 by Capt. Juan Pardo.
Another highlight of the tour is the drive along Highway 226-A, “The Diamondback,” tour coordinator Scott Coley said.
The fundraising event also is a poker run, with participants collecting cards at each stop, Coley said. There are five stops on the tour.
The tour starts in Marion, travels up to Little Switzerland, stops at Camp Lake James and McDowell House and ends at Catawba Meadows Park between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m., where poker prizes will be awarded, Coley said.
In its first year last year, 70 cars participated in the tour, and this year, organizers hope 100 cars participate, Coley said.
“If people like being around cars, it’s a fun way to spend the better part of a day,” Coley said of the scenic ride. “It’s a fun way to have camaraderie and be around other people who enjoy cars. And it’s a great way to learn about local history.”
Sam Avery, president of the Exploring Joara Foundation board of directors, said the tour attracts car enthusiasts from across the state.
“It is promoted statewide because we feel like we are a statewide organization because of the significance of the Berry site, the archaeological work done there,” Avery said.
Volunteers and groups throughout the state already work at the site, and the tour helps raise the Berry site’s profile.
Avery encouraged the community to go out to Catawba Meadows, even if they aren’t taking part of the tour.
“If you don’t drive, come to Catawba Meadows…and see the cars,” Avery said. “They’ll be on display. It’s free, and you get a close up view of some really neat cars. Plus you get a chance to learn about (Exploring Joara’s) work.”
To learn more or to register for the event, visit www.touringjoara.org or contact Coley at 433-8486.
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