Wednesday's Internet Edition, July 19, 2006.

TrailFest 2006 held in Wilton
draws large crowd

By Fran Soto 
River Valley Times Staff
TrailFest 2006 guests mingled amid straw bales decorated with horse blankets, saddles and cowboy hats as the Rails to Trails annual fund-raiser took place at Hunter Stallion Station in Wilton on Saturday, June 3. Congressman Dan Lungren, Supervisor Don Nottoli and Galt Councilman Tom Malson were present along with about 200 supporters.

Since its inception, the annual TrailFest event has raised the primary funds to operate the Central Valley Rails to Trails Foundation (CVRFT). The nonprofit organization has been in existence for seven years and is dedicated to preserving 27.5 mileof the Central California Traction Company rail corridor that runs through Wilton for use as a community trail. The trail would provide a 100-foot-wide safe haven for bicyclists, equestrians, joggers and walkers.

Festivities at TrailFest included a tri-tip dinner, silent auction, raffle, music by The Romp and dancing in the shadows of the horse stables. Board members Sherri Orland, Douglas Baker, Kathy Jacobson, Karen Munroe, Mary Upham, Dr. Robert Hunter and Lora Leershov, as well as many volunteers, were instrumental in organizing and working the fund-raiser.

Doug Baker, vice president of the foundation, said, “The trails are considered an alternative transportation route, not just recreation.” Maps and posters of the proposed trail were on display at the fund-raiser. Kathy Jacobson, recently elected as secretary, is a landscape designer and has created many of the detailed maps and posters that show the trail would run south from Elder Creek Road in Sacramento through Wilton and end at the Woodbridge Winery near Lodi. The future expansion is expected to connect the trail to the American River Parkway.

Adding to the spirit of the event, the Equestrian Trail Patrol (ETP) supervised the parking as people arrived. Two uniformed members on horseback directed drivers to form orderly rows in a mowed pasture. The ETP is a leg of the California State Horsemen’s Association. As a group, they promote good trail etiquette, such as reporting dogs that are a nuisance, trash dumping, as well as assisting the sheriff’s department whenever possible. Once the trail is up and running they would be on patrol.

As the sun set over the horse pastures, a dinner line formed through the tables topped with white cloths and red salvia flowers. Partygoers were served barbecued tri-tip, baked potato, garlic bread, salad and fresh strawberries.

Dr. Hunter, owner of Hunter Stallion Station, entertained the crowd as he drew the winning numbers for numerous raffle prizes that had been on display. Prizes ranged from jelly belly candies, riding lessons, restaurant gift certificates and note cards, with an emphasis on horse-related gifts and services. He also announced the winners of the silent auction. Board members were recognized and special introductions were made. Mary Upham, founder of the organization, was asked to come forward and was awarded the honor of President Emeritus.

Throughout the evening, the Romp, a blues rock group with lead guitarist Christ Duarte entertained the audience with Leonard Skinner and Stevie Ray Vaughn renditions, as well as country ballads. Dancing followed the scheduled program.

Paid for by:  Committee 1246762
Last updated on 25-November-2006