TUSCUMBIA – The annual Saddle Up for St. Jude Trail Ride and Festival at Gardiner Farm, already the nation’s largest trail ride for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., is going to get even bigger this year.
The annual event, which raises money to help fight childhood cancer, has been named a Top 20 Event for July by the Atlanta-based Southeast Tourism Society. This year’s Saddle Up for St. Jude at Gardiner Farm in Tuscumbia is Friday July 14 and Saturday, July 15. Headline performers are April Michelle on Friday night and Clay Walker on Saturday.
Bill Hardeman, president and CEO of Southeast Tourism Society, said events selected for the Top 20 list “represent the best, and often most unique, activities in our region”.
Susann Hamlin, president and CEO or Colbert County Tourism and Convention Bureau, said Saddle Up for St. Jude at Gardiner Farm is very deserving of the Top 20 in the Southeast listing. “It’s a great event and it raises lots of money for a worthy cause.” Colbert Tourism nominated Saddle Up For Jude at Gardiner Farm for the Top 20 in the Southeast award.
“Although they call it a trail ride, you do not have to own a horse to participate. It’s open to everyone. The music is going to be great, the food will be delicious and the auction is going to be fantastic,” Hamlin said.
The festival includes trail rides, wagon rides, pony rides, concerts, an auction, arts and crafts, food vendors and activities for children.
Jimmy King, organizer of the festival, said all profit from the event goes to St. Jude. During the past 20 years, Saddle Up for St. Jude at Gardiner Farm has raised more than $2 million for St. Jude.
“They do a world of good at St. Jude,” King said. “We’re just glad we can help them with what we do with Saddle Up. We’ve all got big hearts when it comes to helping the kids at St. Jude.”
Hamlin said Saddle Up for St. Jude is family friendly and great for people of all ages.
Riders have more than 20 miles of trails spread over around 3,000 acres. King said riders choose their pace and the trails they want to explore. No all-terrain vehicles, other than those used by St. Jude volunteers, are allowed on the trails. More details are available at saddleup4kids.org.
Admission for the weekend is a $35 donation for riders. Admission for non-riders is $10 on Friday and $20 on Saturday. Primitive camping is available.
The farm opens at 7 a.m. on Friday, July 14. Music begins at 6:30 p.m. with Stampede, followed by Ben Parker Project at 7:45 p.m. and April Michelle at 9:15 p.m.
Music begins at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday, July 15 with Southern Heat Band, Josh Brannon Band at 10:45 a.m. and 3 p.m. and Clay Walker at 7:30 p.m. Walker’s hits include six number one country songs, “Live Until I Die”, “What’s It To You”, Dreaming with My Eyes Open”, If I Could Make a Living”, “This Woman and This Man”, “Rumor Has It”.
This year’s auction, a major fundraiser for Saddle Up for St. Jude, is so big that it has been divided into two segments, 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 15.
For more details, call 256-446-5392 or Colbert County Tourism and Convention Bureau at 256-383-0783.
Directions to Gardiner Farm, 85 Underwood Road, Tuscumbia. – 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 and follow the signs.
