Only a few camping sites remain for the Kaw Lake Cherokee Strip Trail Ride, reported Trail Boss Rick Boyd. 

“We’ve had many riders choose to camp the two nights with us at Sarge Creek and only have about five sites for camping left as of September 1,” he said.  “However, we always welcome day riders.”

The Fifth Annual Cherokee Strip Trail Ride is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 17 on the Five Fingers Trail at Kaw Lake in north-central Oklahoma.  Reservations for the ride and/or camping may be made by contacting the Kaw Lake Association 580-762-9494.  Registration forms can be picked up at sponsor locations or the Kaw Lake Association, 3517 Lake Rd., Ponca City, OK.

Organized by the Kaw Lake Association in commemoration of the opening of Oklahoma’s Cherokee Strip Outlet in 1893, the ride begins Saturday morning, Sept. 17 at the Sarge Creek Cove Campground, east of Kaw City on Kaw Lake.  Riders will depart at 11 a.m. from the group camp site pavilion and will be divided into gaited and quarter horse groups for a guided ride out to the Big Ravine where the group will break for lunch.  Riders should bring a sack lunch. 

Whether you are a horseback rider or just want to mingle with horses and their riders, everyone can join us that afternoon for the cookout at the Sarge Creek Pavilion.  Dinner is $10 per plate and serving will begin around 4 p.m. at the Sarge Creek Pavilion. This will be followed by live entertainment and the opportunity to test your vocal skills with karaoke.  In addition, new this year will be a live auction of western art and other items.  Numerous door prizes have been donated by area businesses including the Ponca City Chamber/Tourism, Pioneer Woman Museum, Garouette’s, and individuals including the ever popular paintings by actor/artist Buck Taylor donated by trail ride supporters Grant and Deanna Hodges.

Riders may either come just for the day ride Saturday or come Friday evening and join others for the weekend camping at the reserved sites at Sarge Creek.  Cost for the ride is $15 and camping is $36 for the two nights.  All riders are encouraged to register in advance by Thursday, Sept. 15, according to Kathy Tippin, executive director of the Kaw Lake Association.

Trail boss for the ride is Rick Boyd.  Other trail scouts will assist in leading the groups and will be wearing bandanas to identify themselves.

Gold sponsors are Osage County Tourism, Eastman National Bank, Kay Electric Co-operative and Tractor Supply.   Bronze sponsors are Rock-a-Bye Ranch and Nixon Excavating.  Other sponsors include Grant and Deanna Hodges and Garouette products.

For information contact Rick Boyd at 580-716-7425 or the Kaw Lake Association at 580-765-9494.  Also on the Kaw Lake Association website www.kawlake.com under Calendar of Events or on the Kaw Lake Association Facebook Page under “events”.

            The mission of the Kaw Lake Association is to promote tourism and economic development of north-central Oklahoma and south-central Kansas.  It. is one of 11 multi-county organizations that work with the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, the Oklahoma Travel Industry Association and the other 10 multi-county associations to promote the state tourism industry.