Relay for Life Tractor Ride raises over $4K for ACS
Published 11:27 am Thursday, October 3, 2019
Photos by Nancy Leedy OFF WE GO. Jerry Wilkinson waves to a waiting wagon as he rolls out on his tractor at the start of the 2019 Lincoln County Relay for Life Tractor Ride.
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STANFORD — While many people chose to remain indoors Saturday and enjoy the air-conditioned comfort of home, a few hundred community members and visitors braved the 90 degree heat and searing sun, donning their sunglasses and slapping on sunscreen to take part in the annual Relay for Life Tractor Ride.
Over 275 people on tractors, wagons and recreational vehicles cruised the roadways of Lincoln County on the 25-mile ride to help raise money for cancer research. Donations raised from the event benefit the American Cancer Society.
Donya Saylor, chair for the Lincoln County Relay for Life committee, said she was excited with the turnout.
“It was a beautiful day, a little warm. However, I think everyone enjoyed the ride,” she said. “We had over 275 individuals to participate this year either driving or riding on a wagon.”
Participants in this year’s ride came from all across the state. In addition to Lincoln and the surrounding counties, the drivers’ and riders’ list included people from Morgan, Owen, Breckinridge, Nicholas, Menifee, Jessamine, Madison, Mercer and Fayette Counties.
The final tally on donations raised through the 2019 Tractor Ride is an unknown but the total will exceed $4,000.
“I still have money coming in and we currently have raised $4,100,” confirmed Saylor.
Since tractors are not built for speed, there were some traffic delays along U.S. 150 and U.S. 27 as the long line of over 90 green, red, blue, orange and white tractors and a handful of wagons and recreational vehicles rolled down the busy roadways. Despite the delays, drivers and tractors were often greeted by waving motorists stopped for the tractor ride, those passing by or those who simply stopped on the side of the road to take in the rolling site.
Each year, the tractor ride has begun at Veteran’s Park and Saturday was no different. After leaving the park, drivers and riders traveled on U.S. 150 to U.S. 27 where they headed south. The ride continued on KY 1247 just past Lincoln County High School then out KY 643, ending up at the William Whitley House where the Cattleman’s Association had a hamburger/hot dog picnic lunch prepared for them.
As they rolled into the historic site for lunch, tractor ride participants were greeted by Lincoln County Historical Society members and William Whitley House staff dressed in period costumes.
Following the lunch and an auction, drivers and riders loaded up and headed back out William Whitley Road, then on to KY 1770 and back on U.S. 150 for the return trip to the park.
The goal of the Lincoln County Relay for Life Tractor Ride each year has been to get 100 tractors rolling on the road. The committee has yet to reach that mark – but there is no complaining over the missed goal.
“We did not reach the 100 tractors. However, we were really close!” exclaimed Saylor. “We had 93 tractors this year, five wagons and four recreational vehicles.”
“We had a great time. There are so many people that come out for this every year and we appreciate their helping us support cancer research.”
Saylor said she had Kenny Stamper, who brought in over 20 of his own tractors for the ride so that anyone who wanted to drive a tractor but didn’t own one could participate, and many others to thank for the success of the benefit ride.
“A huge ‘thank you’ to Kenny Stamper for all the hard work and dedication he puts in to the tractor ride every year for Lincoln County Relay for Life,” said Saylor. “Thank you to Tom Sudduth, Ronnie Caudill and Jason Elliott for helping with the event, as well.”
Saylor’s ‘thank you’ list did not end there, as she gave a nod to the Cattleman’s Association for donating and cooking lunch for all the participants and for everyone involved with the William Whitley House for allowing Relay for Life to use the venue for the event.
And last, but not least ….
“Thank you to the Relay for Life teams and committee and everyone that participated, helped, sponsored or donated to our event,” said Saylor. “Thank you to our community for always supporting Lincoln County Relay for Life. They always come through and I look forward to another successful year in 2020!”
