TUSCUMBIA-Hold your horses, the biggest event of its kind in the country is headed for Underwood Mountain in Colbert County.
The annual Saddle Up for St. Jude Trail Ride and Festival is Friday, July 18 and Saturday, July 19 at Gardiner Farm, west of Tuscumbia. The festival includes trail rides, wagon rides, concerts, an auction, arts and crafts, food vendors and activities for children.
This year’s headline entertainers are Kerry Gilbert and the KGB on Friday night and Trick Pony on Saturday night.
With more than 500 riders and their horses, along with thousands of non-riders expected, it is the nation’s largest trail ride for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.
Jimmy King, coordinator for the event, all the profit from the festival goes to the hospital.
“Since we started the ride 18 years ago, we have raised more than $1.3 million for St. Jude,” King said. “Our goal this year is to push that total to over $1.5 million. You don’t need a horse to participate. Anyone can come out and enjoy the music, the great food, the auction and the other activities to help us help St. Jude.”
King said more than 130 children from Colbert and Lauderdale counties are being treated at St. Jude.
For the riders, King said new trails have been added to this year’s festival, boosting the riding options to almost 30 miles spread out over 3,000 acres. He said riders choose their pace and the trails they want to explore.
Admission for the weekend is a $35 donation for riders and $15 for non-riders. Primitive camping is available.
The farm opens at 7 a.m. on July 18. Music begins at 6:30 p.m. with Stampede, followed by CC Jags and then Gilbert at9 p.m.
Music begins at 11 a.m. on July 19 with Michelle Bradford and Tommy James. April Michelle performs at 12:30 p.m.The Josh Brannon Band performance begins at 5:30 p.m. with the Trick Pony concert getting under way at 7:30 p.m.The auction begins at 2 p.m.
Susann Hamlin, executive director of the Colbert County Tourism and Convention Bureau, said the Tuscumbia Saddle Up for St. Jude event has become one of the largest festivals in the Shoals.
“It’s a unique event because although it’s called a trail ride, it’s for anyone who wants to listen to some great music, eat delicious food, see old friends and make new ones while having a good time and helping a very worthy cause,” Hamlin said. “It’s a great event for families.”
Susann Hamlin
For more details, call Colbert County Tourism and Convention Bureau at 256-383-0783, emailColbertTourism@comcast.net, or Circle 5 Outfitters at 256-446-4392.
Directions to Gardiner Farm
From U.S. 72 in Tuscumbia, turn south onto service road at Colbert County Farmers Co-Op. Go one block then turn left onto Frankfort Road. Travel south for 1.7 miles, then, turn left onto Underwood Mountain Road. Travel 3.1 miles to County Farm Road.
MEDIA RELEASE/Colbert County Tourism/DENNIS SHERER
