A busy weekend in Washington begins today with Music in the Streets and the arrival of around 1,000 cyclists as part of Cycle North Carolina’s Spring Ride.

The activities and events continue Saturday with Saturday Market (8 a.m. to noon) and several Spring Ride-related items. Spring Ride events and activities also are scheduled for Sunday.

“It’s the first of many busy weekends for the next few months,” said Lynn Lewis, the city’s tourism-development director, on Thursday.

The Washington Tourism Development Authority is serving as event host for the Spring Ride, Lewis noted. Several businesses have special offers targeting the Spring Ride participants, she said.

Some Spring Ride cyclists were expected to arrive Thursday evening, the first opportunity for them to check in. The check-in process continues through the weekend.

Music in the Streets, which runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. today, is entering its 10th season.

The lineup for this month’s Music in the Streets includes Tee Jay Jones and the Pamlico Sound Machine on the main stage. Described as a “throw-back” band, the musicians play soul, blues and R&B. Also on the lineup are Both, a Raleigh band that includes Craig Newton, who’s performed at Music in the Streets events in the past, and the Riverboat Jazz Band, a New Orleans-style jazz ensemble that includes area residents. Rounding out the cast of performers are Kara Carlson (solo act from Kinston), John “Singer” Benson (solo act, local musician), The Southerner’s Band (Southern rock), Living Waters (praise band), 3 Pair (miscellaneous), St. James and Friends (bluegrass/gospel group from Greenville) and the Main Street Shaggers.

Saturday Market returns to the west end of Stewart Parkway for its 2012 season.

“We’re going to have these early strawberries. We’ll have our spring onions and probably some early collards, maybe some cucumbers,” said Sean Harding with Southside Farms in Chocowinity on Thursday.

Southside Farms likely will have some flowers and other goods available at its booth Saturday, he added.

Harding said he’s looking forward to another Saturday Market season.

“This week’s been kind of hectic with the cold weather. I’m excited about Saturday. It looks like the weather’s going to be good,” he said.

Saturday Market, a project of the Washington Harbor District Alliance, is all about supporting the local economy. Saturday Market helps support the area’s agricultural industry, especially small producers, by providing them another retail outlet for their goods. Saturday Market provides consumers with the freshest of fruits and vegetables on a weekly basis during its seasonal run each year and at reasonable prices.

A favorite entertainment event also returns this weekend.

At 10 a.m. on each Saturday Market, the Beaufort County Traditional Music Association provides a musical jam under a shade-providing tree at the intersection of Stewart Parkway, West Main Street and Gladden Street.