The 72nd Mountain State Forest Festival will host three popular events this weekend. The seventh annual Bass Classic will have fisherman competing to bring in the biggest fish, motorcycle enthusiasts will take part in the Poker Run and tennis players will grab their rackets for the annual Tennis Tournament.

The Mountain State Forest Festival Poker Run, an event featuring exciting motorcycle games and field events, will return to the Beverly Fire Hall this year. The event will kick off on Saturday with registration will begin at 9 a.m. The registration fee is $15 on the day of the event for drivers, and $10 for co-riders. The fee includes a Poker Run card, as well as dinner and beverages following the run.

The first rider will hit the road at 10 a.m. Poker hands will need to be turned in by 3 p.m.

The Poker Run covers country roads and features stops in Huttonsville, Snowshoe and Bartow. The riders will get their first and last card at the Beverly Fire Hall.

According to MSFF Assistant Director Scott Harris, the first prize for the best hand will be $300, second place will receive $200 and third place will receive $100.

"Last year we had about 115 riders," Harris said. "It looks like good weather and we are hoping for 120 or more riders."

Following the run, the event will continue with bike games and field events. The action provides all participants and spectators a fun-filled afternoon. Included will be the barrel roll, slow ride, cone race, keg throw and weenie bite.

Harris said the winners of the bike games and field events will receive plaques.

Commemorative event T-shirts will be available for purchase for an additional $10. Riders will be asked to provide proof of registration and insurance upon signing up for the ride. Registration forms and additional information are available at the festival office, located at 101 Lough St. in Elkins.

Sponsors for the Poker Run include Budweiser, Glotfelty Tire and Canaan Valley Resort.

The Tennis Tournament will begin on Friday at 5 p.m. at the Davis & Elkins College tennis courts. The action will continue on Saturday at 10 a.m.

Players will compete in the several categories: Men's open singles, men's 35 and older singles, men's doubles, 18 and younger singles (men's and women's), women's open singles and women's doubles. If any of the competitions have fewer than four entries, that category will be eliminated. Matches will be the best two out of three games with 12-point tie-breaker games.

"Last year's defending men's open champion will be returning this year," event organizer Tim Gibson said. "We have four past champions competing in the men's doubles."

Registration for the singles events ended Wednesday but doubles registration will be open until Saturday. By Tuesday, Gibson said 18 people have signed up for the competition. Doubles entry fee is $18 per team and team entry fee is $60 (singles and doubles up to six players).

This year's tournament will also include a skills portion that will run throughout the tournament. Prizes for winners in this portion will be presented at the end of the tournament along with other prizes. Registration will take place at the beginning of the tournament for skills competition.

The tournament is being sponsored by McNeer, Highland, McMunn & Varner, LC. Awards for the winners of the various categories will be presented at the end of the weekend.

The seventh annual Bass Classic will kick off Saturday at 7 a.m. at the public boat dock on the Tygart Valley River in South Elkins. A minimum of 20 boats with two people on each will be allowed.

Cash prizes totaling $1,000 - if the tournament is full - will be awarded to the top six finishers. The first-place team will also be given trophies. An additional prize this year, "Big Lunker Award," will be presented for the biggest individual fish caught.

Registration for the tournament and "Big Lunker Award" will be $75. The public is invited and encouraged to attended the weigh-in of the bass at approximately 2 p.m.

No live bait will be permitted so the anglers will have to use artifical lures to try to hook the biggest bass.