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Halfway To Hazard Charity Trail Ride
Written By: Lorri Warrix
2008 looks to be yet another incredible year for Halfway to Hazard as they finish up their 2nd summer of touring with Tim McGraw on the “Live Your Voice” tour, along with Jason Aldean.
H2H has had an incredible ride thus far! They completed their 1st album for Mercury Records; toured with Tim McGraw and Faith Hill on the 2007 Soul 2 Soul tour and have been the opening act for many other country music legends; were nominated for the Academy of Country Music “Duo of the Year” award; sang the national anthem at the legendary Lambeau Field during the NFC Championship game and then again for their beloved Kentucky Wildcats basketball team at Rupp Arena. To say that David Tolliver and Chad Warrix “bleed blue” is an understatement! Not only are they huge Big Blue fans, both are extremely proud to be from Eastern Kentucky and they believe in the progress and the possibilities that lie within the area.
While the Southern and Eastern Kentucky Tourism Development Association has been promoting tourism throughout the area for years, “adventure tourism” is paving new trails of opportunity. Most recently, five Eastern Kentucky counties (Perry, Breathitt, Owsley, Clay, and Leslie) have joined forces to advertise and promote a regional trail riding concept. Newly elected Lt. Governor Daniel Mongiardo campaigned to advocate for this incredible opportunity throughout our beautiful, scenic Eastern Kentucky mountains, and continues to be a supporter of the project.
Hazard/Perry Country Tourism is spearheading the day’s events, which also include the grand opening of the East Kentucky Regional Trail System, featuring trails in 5 counties (Perry, Breathitt, Leslie, Clay & Owsley). This local Tourism Board has been instrumental in bringing together various groups & individuals as well as state & local officials in order to make this a successful event we can all be proud of.
The Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources has been an important partner throughout the planning process.
For this concept to become a reality, many things have fallen into place. Property owners have agreed to create trails that connect long tracts of land with marked signs. To expedite this process and to protect landowners from the liability of riders on their property, Lt. Gov. Mongiardo and many Eastern Kentucky local and state officials worked with Legislators to create a bill that would protect the rights of landowners. Additionally, the 2008 Kentucky General Assembly created the Kentucky Recreational Trails Authority to implement off-road activities and opportunities.
Local loggers and businessmen, Benny and Culley Abner, are also big advocates for adventure tourism. Over the years, the Abner brothers have acquired numerous tracts of land, including a beautiful farm located on KY 315, just 5 miles from Buckhorn Lake and Dam area, along the Middle Fork of the Kentucky River. The Abner family is deeply rooted in the Buckhorn area and believes in its untouched tourism potential. When the opportunity arose for them to participate in the creation of this regional ATV trail, they were more than willing to dedicate themselves and a large portion of their land to the project. Bringing H2H on board with a Charity Trail Ride benefitting Buckhorn Children & Family Services was just another piece of this exciting adventure!
The Abner family introduced H2H to the Buckhorn Center and it’s Mission of seeking out suffering children and families and improving their lives. Buckhorn is a 106 year old non-profit serving abused and neglected children and youth through residential treatment, foster care and adoption, transitional and independent living, and family preservation services throughout Kentucky, and in Ohio. Buckhorn brings hope, structure, and love to children whose lives have been damaged and spirits have been broken. It wasn’t long before H2H made the connection between their love and devotion to Eastern Kentucky and the Mission of Buckhorn Children & Family Services. Thus, the First Annual Halfway To Hazard Charity Trail Ride will be a reality!
Chad Warrix and David Tolliver are very excited to be involved in this project and are inviting many country music artists, motor-cross superstar Ricky Carmichael, and other celebrities to the event. Stormy Warren, GAC v-jay, is scheduled to interview, film, and participate in the ride. There will be an incredible silent auction filled with celebrity items such as autographed guitars and albums, along with many locally donated items. This will be a family event filled with music, food, & fun.
Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo, Congressman Hal Rogers, and the many individuals joined in this effort will see the fruits of their labor through increased visitors to the area and the creation of jobs and other tourism driven components. The Abner brothers will build their dream “adventure tourism” operation at their beautiful, Crockettsville Farm (named for Davy, of course), and all the proceeds of this ride will benefit the many suffering children and families being served by Buckhorn Children & Family Services.
All have high hopes that this effort will propel Eastern Kentucky into the national spotlight as the premier trail network in the United States. Come on, join H2H on this adventure as they become Change Agents for Children; From the Trail to the Lake, Buckhorn Awaits!
