The third annual Western Heritage Trail Ride will be Jan. 31-Feb. 6. The Gueydan-to-Lake Charles trek is done in conjunction with the Southwest District Livestock Show and Rodeo.

“We’re trying to promote Western heritage and the rodeo in Lake Charles,” said trail boss Glenn Daigle.

“We camp out in each town and have a great time. We hang out and visit and remember the old way of life. It’s a slow-pace event that we really enjoy.”

For entry forms and rules, call Daigle at 802-8168 or visit www.daiglefarms.com. Reservations and Western attire are required.

Riders must be ready to ride and transfer vehicles at 7:30 a.m. each day. Tardy riders will be left behind and will have to find their own means of transportation back to the starting point.

The trail ride will begin with an overnight camping trip Jan. 30 at the Louisiana Duck Festival Grounds in Gueydan. The 14.8-mile journey to Lake Arthur will begin the morning of Jan. 31 on La. 14.

On Feb. 1 riders will travel 12 miles down La. 26 from Lake Arthur to Jennings; on Feb. 2 they will travel 12.7 miles from Jennings to Welsh on U.S. 90.

Riders will trek 11.5 miles from Welsh to Iowa on Feb. 3; they will go from Iowa to Kershaw’s Cajun Village along La. 397 on Feb. 4.

On Feb. 5 the group will go from Kershaw’s to McNeese State University — a 16-mile trip — and will be asked to take part in a parade at 3:30 p.m. from the old Sale Mart on Ryan Street to Cowboy Stadium.

The ride will conclude at Burton Coliseum on Feb. 6 after a 5.9-mile jaunt. Grand entry into the coliseum will be at 7:30 p.m.

(MGNonline)