Over twenty young members of the Cherokee Nation and Eastern Band of Cherokee made a stop at Big Springs Park and the Trail of Tears Park in Princeton Friday afternoon as part of the annual Remember the Removal event.
Bike Ride Coordinator, and original rider, Will Chavez says the annual event is to raise awareness of what the Cherokee experienced during the Trail of Tears in the 1800s as well as a way to help Cherokee youth become more successful in their future endeavors.
He adds that this year marks the 35th anniversary of the first ride, that Chavez himself participated in.
Chavez notes that there are 21 riders participating this year who left off from Georgia on June 2nd.
Riders arrived in Hopkinsville Friday morning and were recognized by the Hopkinsville Trail of Tears Commission and Ninth District State Representative Myron Dossett before riding along Highway 91 to Princeton.
Once in Princeton they were recognized by the Princeton Trail of Tears Commission at the Trail of Tears Park beside Big Springs Park and enjoyed light refreshments at the Princeton Tourism Center. The riders will leave from Princeton Saturday morning to continue their trek and are expected to arrive in the Cherokee capitol, Tahlequah, Oklahoma, on Thursday, June 20th.
