Everything’s a-go for the Saddle Up for St. Jude Trail Ride at After All Acres between Henderson and Springhill Saturday.

Max Ellis, an event organizer said last year’s ride raised more than $10,000 for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and he hopes to double that amount this year.

“We had about 200 riders last year and we’d like to have 400 show up on Saturday,” Ellis said. “Wagons are also welcome.”

With only one wagon on the trail last year, doubling the wagons should be a cinch.

Gate donation is $25 and includes breakfast, lunch and dessert, entertainment and other activities.

The Pike County Cattlemen will be grilling their famous hamburgers at lunch. Baked beans and chips will be served along with cold drinks. The Lower Alabama Dutch Oven Cookers will serve their famous peach cobbler for dessert.

“We’ll have two great rides,” Ellis said. “The morning ride will be at 9 a.m. and it’s a guided slow ride for horses and wagons. Marlon Hamm has graciously agreed to let us ride his property. It’s one of the prettiest places you can find in Pike County. We’ll ride along Big Creek and around Marlon’s big lake. It’ll take about an hour and a half and you won’t have a better time riding any trail in Pike County or this entire area.”

The afternoon ride is a challenge ride and is recommended only for advanced riders.

“Those who remember when there was iron ore mining in the county will understand why I say for advanced riders,” Ellis said. “It’s through fields and up and down gullies left behind for the mining operation. The challenge ride will also be a little less than two hours.”

The Saddle Up for St. Jude Trail Ride will feature entertainment by the Benton Brothers & Company and two live auctions.

“We’ve got some really great items for auction,” Ellis said. “We hold one auction before lunch and the other after. All of the money raised will go to St. Jude’s. We want to do all that we can for these children who are suffering from cancer and other catastrophic diseases.

“The Saddle Up for St. Jude Trail Ride is an opportunity to support St. Jude and also to enjoy a day in the great outdoors. The trail rides will be through some might pretty places, especially at the time of year. We’ll have a lot of fun.”

Ellis said those who want to ride the trail but don’t have a horse can catch a ride on a wagon.

“Non-riders are welcome,” he said. “You don’t have to ride the trails to enjoy this event. You can enjoy the fellowship of friends and neighbors, some great entertainment and great food and take part in the auctions or you can just sit back an enjoy the outdoors. But just by being here, you will help fight pediatric cancer and other deadly diseases that affect children. There’s no better way to spend an afternoon.”

After All Acres is located at 5799 C.R. 2262 between Henderson and Springhill. Watch for the big white tent.