The numbers might have been down, but those who attended the 20th annual Roche Percee Trail Ride and Wagon Trek from August 7 to 9 had a great time.
The event attracted 73 registered participants. Three wagons were on the trails for this year鈥檚 event. Spokesperson Joyce Schlapkohl said the riders ranged in age from eight months to 80 years old.
The number of participants was down considerably from recent years, when they had around 125 riders. Schlapkohl said she is concerned with the sliding attendance.
鈥淏ut it鈥檚 not all together a bad thing, because the smaller the crowd, the more you get to know each other,鈥� said Schlapkohl.
A lot of their long-time participants are now too old to be part of the ride, she said. There were a lot of other events happening during that weekend.聽
She noted that one person suggested having a scavenger hunt on the trails to change up the event and possibly attract some more riders. But Schlapkohl said it would take a lot of time to plan, and people wouldn鈥檛 be able to retrieve anything while they鈥檙e on the trails, since they鈥檙e riding horses.聽
鈥淲e鈥檙e always open to suggestions for how we could improve our ride or attract more people,鈥� said Schlapkohl.聽
The riders travelled 26 kilometres on the first day, 32 on the second and 20 on the third. They also enjoyed some spectacular scenery each day.聽
鈥淏ecause it鈥檚 been so dry, we even have a few trees turning colour already,鈥� said Schlapkohl.聽
They also had a silent auction with items donated by local businesses, organizations and individuals.聽
The weather cooperated throughout the weekend, she said. While the temperatures were warm in the afternoons, they didn鈥檛 have to combat precipitation at all during the treks.聽 聽
Schlapkohl said volunteers help make the event happen each year. Not only do they assist during the event, they help put up the large tent before it begins, and they help clean up the grounds once it is finished.聽
The event is put on by the Souris Valley Trekkers and the Roche Percee Recreation Board. Proceeds are 小蓝视频 directed towards the construction of a new hall in Roche Percee.
