Heritage Trail Partners Hosts Sesquicentennial Commemorative
Butterfield Stagecoach Ride Through Northwest Arkansas

Fayetteville, ARKANSAS – Heritage Trail Partners is pleased to announce the fifth annual stagecoach ride and horse cavalcade through Northwest Arkansas, commemorating the historical Butterfield Stagecoach route. This Sesquicentennial event will take place on Friday, September 12 through Sunday, September 14, at special stops along the historic Butterfield Stagecoach route.  Jacci Perry will serve as the event organizer and trail boss.  The ride will begin Pea Ridge National Park in Pea Ridge, Arkansas, with a "Dutch Oven Cooking Contest," & music; the public is invited. Saturday will include Breakfast at the Avoca Town Hall and the end of day’s destination that of Cross Hollow in Lowell, Arkansas. On Sunday, riders will arrive at 12:30 p.m. at Fitzgerald Station in Springdale where the public is invited. Sunday’s stops will include the Botanical Gardens in Fayetteville, with the final day’s destination that of Butterfield Trail Village in Fayetteville at approximately 4:45 p.m.
               
The Journey Stagecoach, as it is known, was originally built in the 1850's.  It served southern Arizona in the Tucson area until its retirement at the turn of the century.  It was brought out of retirement when Silver Dollar City purchased it in the early 1960's to serve as the Silver Dollar Line at Silver Dollar City in Branson. After being retired from Silver Dollar City, it was purchased in 1999 by the Hamby Family and restored.  The Journey Stagecoach has worked in 3 centuries in every state between Missouri & California, with the famous Sons of the Pioneers, and is the stagecoach referred to in the Oakridge Boys song 'Ozark Mountain Jubilee. It has brought smiles to the faces of tens of thousands of people since its creation.

John McLarty, President of Heritage Trail Partners, said, “I’m pleased to see that the community has been so supportive of the Heritage Trail Partners project.  Preserving our heritage, developing our recreational spaces, and bringing our communities together on a project like this makes me proud to know there’s such a strong commitment to our success. “

The Northwest Arkansas Heritage Trail is a regional network of trails, roadways and pathways that connects Northwest and Western Arkansas citizens and visitors to rich heritage, recreational and cultural assets, and a healthier lifestyle. Jacci Perry, Trailboss for the ride, added,  “Our board members are enthusiastically working together to promote The Butterfield Stagecoach Route, the Trail of Tears, and local Civil War history alongside modern day recreational activities, and it’s rewarding for all of us to be involved in an event focusing on a product that could be one of Arkansas’ most admired attractions. This SesquiCentinnial Celebration is a very important way to highlight our local trail history.”

For safety purposes, and to highlight the Concord Stagecoach’s historical value, no other stagecoaches or wagons will be allowed on the stagecoach run. Riders can join the ride at a cost of $15 per day.

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The Heritage Trail Partners, Inc. is a non-profit organization assembled exclusively for educational purposes to promote and support the design, preservation and advancement of “The Heritage Trail” in Washington, Benton, Crawford and Sebastian Counties.

Based on the extensive historical research conducted, the Butterfield Stagecoach Route emerges as a primary roadbed for the ‘The Heritage Trail’ plan.  This route is marked with unique signage and promoted with an informational brochures and a website:  www.heritagetrailpartners.com.  The Trail of Tears and Civil War routes are being identified and further developed, and similar efforts are being planned for these distinctive routes.

For information about becoming a Heritage Trail Partner, being a participating corporate sponsor or to ride your horse in this event,  please contact Jacci Perry at 479.841.1900. Media is encouraged to follow the route and to enjoy the public meals.

Supporting Organizations:
The Heritage Trail Partners would ilke to thank the following people and organizations for their support and help with the Butterfield Stagecoach Commerative Ride:

Jacci Perry, trailboss, www.PerrysPassinThru.com
Butterfield Trail Village, www.ButterfieldTrailVillage.org
City of Springdale, www.springdaleark.org
Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, www.BGOzarks.org

2005 Trail Ride Photos:
Below are a few photos from the 2005 event. We hope you will join us this year to enjoy and particpate in the Butterfield Stagecoach Commemorative Ride.

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