Gilbert will be in the limelight this week as the Ninth Annual Hatfield-McCoy National Trailfest activities commence Thursday. The festival will run through Monday.

Last year, 600 registered riders and an estimated 600 visitors and spectators attended. This year Hatfield-McCoy Trail Authority Executive Director Jeff Lusk said the organization is expecting 800 to 1,000 riders and approximately 1,000 spectators.

This event pulls tourists from all over the United States to Gilbert for a three-day weekend of riding the Hatfield-McCoy Trails and several other scheduled events, including a mud pit and drag racing. Every year the event grows, he said, whether it is the number of participants or the events planned and this year’s event is expected to be no different.

Gilbert residents can also look forward to national recognition for the event. Several media outlets have covered the event in previous years including Fisher’s ATV World, Dirt Tracks television, ATV Sport Magazine and an internet site ATVSource.com.

On Thursday, Oct. 8, early registration will begin at the Larry Joe Harless Community Center in Gilbert. The trails will be open all day to accommodate riders, as well as, the annual community-wide ATV Scavenger Hunt and Mud-Pit Play area. A bonfire will be held later that night.

On Friday, Oct. 9, a poker run will be held for cash prizes. That night the Hatfield-McCoy Trails will host Vegas Night games.

On Saturday night Hatfield-McCoy will once again attempt to break the Guinness World Record for most ATVs in a parade. Everyone is invited to participate in the parade. ATV decorations and costumes are encouraged.

Fisher’s ATV World will once again hold their Mud Run for prizes. The town of Gilbert will be conducting a fireworks show to close out the night at 11 p.m.

The event will be wind down Sunday, but the trail and mud-pit area will be open to the public.

For more information about the Ninth Annual Hatfield-McCoy Trailfest event, contact their main office at 1-800-592-2217 or visit their Web site at www.trailsheaven.com.