This year, the East Coast Trike In will be held in Mount Airy on Labor Day weekend at Veterans Memorial Park.

Tim Nine, the North Carolina director for the Brother of the Third Wheel organization, said a trike is a three-wheeled motorcycle, but all motorcycles are welcome at the event. Nine picked out Mount Airy as this year’s destination because he liked the appeal of the town.

“We were looking for a spot that had a good accommodation for what we needed so we could get a large group of people there. It’s a beautiful area and it’s a very friendly town,” said Nine.

The Soaring Eagles Motorcycle group is sponsoring a poker run. He said the money raised during that event will go to the House of Hope and Recovery. He said most of the proceeds raised during the weekend will stay in the Surry County area.

Admission to the event is free. Food vendors and merchandise will be on sale throughout the event.

A parade will be held on Saturday starting from Veterans Park at 10 a.m.

Nine said some of the trikes are factory built and some are home built out of car parts and motorcycle parts.

“They are very unique in their own way. A trike, especially the home-built ones, are very unique. People are very peculiar over them because they have a lot of time and effort in them. It’s a very friendly group of people,” said Nine.

Through the years, Nine has built more than 60 different trikes. He custom builds each one to the owner’s specifications. He has done everything from small one-cylinder trikes for kids to big V-8 trikes for grown kids, he said.

“I’ve done them with two wheels in the back, two wheels in the front. I’ve built side cars on scooters. I’ve built a Roman chariot to get attention. It’s my belief that being seen is being safe,” said Nine.

He likes that it puts a smile on people’s faces when they see it.

“I don’t care if they are laughing with me or at me, but I’m having a good time,” he said. “A lot of times it makes somebody’s day to see it.”

Trike Ins have been held for the past 17 years. This will be the 11th East Coast Trike In. Nine said he hopes the attendance at the Mount Airy event will be the largest ever.

He said there will be a contest held to determine “The Baddest Ride” at the Trike In and it will be voted on by children. All vehicles will be allowed to enter the contest.

Classes also will be held, and games for kids including a dunking booth will be available at the event.

Jessica Icenhour, director of tourism and marketing with the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center, is looking forward to the event.

“They do this in different places throughout the east coast, but they were very interested in holding it in Mount Airy this year,” said Icenhour.

The event is sponsored by the North Carolina members of the Brothers of the Third Wheel.

Icenhour said she has been working with the group for more than a year on planning the event.

“They are wanting the public to come out, other motorcycle groups to come out. They want to make this a community event and get the locals involved,” said Icenhour.

She said Mount Airy is very appealing to motorcycle and other various car groups because of its close vicinity to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the abundance of scenic and “twisty” roads.

“As you drive through the county you see so many beautiful vistas throughout the Yadkin Valley Wine region. This event will include a parade in the downtown area of the trikes, which also appeal to people of all ages and encourages locals and families to come visit the downtown area,” said Icenhour.

Tourism generates more than $83 million a year in Surry County, according to the N.C. Department of Commerce Data.

“Tourism is a huge part of the local economy in Mount Airy and Surry County. It saves each county resident a tax savings of $205 in spending because of tax relief that is generated from tourists coming into Mount Airy,” said Icenhour.

For more information about the event, e-mail Tim Nine at ninneonthree@aol.com.

Contact Mondee Tilley at mtilley@mtairynews.com or at 719-1930.