Saddle Up for St. Jude coming up
One of the largest benefit events in the Southeast is coming up next week.
The 28th annual Saddle Up for St. Jude Trail Ride and Concert will be held July 18-21 at Gardiner Farm, 85 Underwood Road, Tuscumbia.
Tickets are $60 for all three days, $20 for Thursday or Friday only and $40 for Saturday only. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or from any Singing River Dentistry location.
“Welcome to the 28th annual Northwest Alabama Saddle Up for St. Jude Trail Ride and Concert,” said event founder and coordinator Jimmy King on the event’s website. “There are over 3,000 acres of riding trails to enjoy along with our featured entertainment of local musicians and country music stars.
“Craig Morgan, Josh Brannon Band and Shenandoah will perform. Our auction on Saturday afternoon will be something you don’t want to miss. We are also proud to feature what we think is bar none the best concessions and food anywhere. This Shoals area event has raised over $3.5 million dollars for St. Jude the past 27 years. So, bring your lawn chair and a thankful heart as we join in our tradition of supporting the best of causes! fundraising for St Jude. See you there.”
Gardiner Farm opens up for primitive camping at noon on July 18. The kid zone will open at 6 p.m., and Stampede will take the stage at 6, followed by Drive at 7:30 and Shenandoah at 8:40.
On July 19, the farm will open for camping and trail riding at 7 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. respectively. Amanda Brewer will take the stage at 6 p.m., followed by Rewind of The Shoals at 7:30 and Josh Brannon Band at 8:45.
Gates open at 7 a.m. July 20 for riders. Cowgirl Up Bluegrass opens at 11 a.m., while Déjà vu takes the stage at 1 a.m., followed by KGB at 2:15 p.m. and headliner Craig Morgan at 8:45.
One of the hallmarks of the event, the live auction, will begin at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Dr. Jimmy Gardiner said this year’s goal is to raise $400,000, a feat accomplished the previous two years.
“We have our 28th annual Saddle Up for St. Jude coming up,” Gardiner said in a video posted to social media. “We want you to be here to have an awesome time, but also raise money for a great cause. We are the No. 1 trail ride in the nation for St. Jude’s Hospital, and it’s because of our volunteers and people who give from the heart for this great cause.”
Saddle Up features 300 acres of riding trails and concessions available all day during the event. All money raised benefits St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
Gardiner said Saddle-Up for St. Jude has “really changed a lot” over the past 25 years.
“For the first several years we only held the event on Saturday,” he said. “As it grew and demand grew, our volunteers really stepped up and we added more events, music and concessions. We expanded to Friday night, and then in our 25th year it became a three-night event. We initially wanted to add a third night every five years, but demand from attendees was so great we decided to go ahead and do it every year.
“Bring your lawn chairs, a great appetite and get your heart right for St. Jude, because we are going to ask you to give,” Gardiner said. “It’s great fun. Anybody can write a check, but we can come together as a community, raise money for a great cause and also have a ball. It’s great fellowship, fun and food.”
