Wagon Train Facts

·         The Bicentennial Wagon Train honors the state’s early settlers and recognizes those whose courageous spirit led to the statehood of Ohio and the founding of the City of Worthington in 1803.

·         24 day journey (includes 2 days of rest for staff and animals)

·         The Wagon Train travels through 10 counties in the state - Belmont, Guernsey, Muskingum, Licking, Franklin, Madison, Clark, Miami, Montgomery and Preble.

·         The Wagon Train covers approximately 285 miles from Martins Ferry in Belmont County to New Paris in Preble County.

·         At the midway point, the wagon train will arrive in Worthington on July 5 for a special Bicentennial Parade and two-day Homecoming Celebration to honor Worthington’s Bicentennial.

·         Travels primarily on the historic National Road, today U.S. 40, one of America’s most scenic byways.

·         Total miles per day:  approximately 12 – 16.

·         The Bicentennial Wagon Train is providing 13 wagons drawn by teams of mules.

·         The Bicentennial Wagon Train can accommodate 130 riders each day.

·         4 wagons seat 20 people, 9 wagons seat six people.

·         Approximately 1,500 people have already signed on to participate in the wagon train.  Most will be riding in the Bicentennial Wagon Train. Some will be walking; others will be riding their own horse and still others will be riding in their own wagons.

·         Participants are encouraged to dress in 1800’s period costume, bring musical instruments and/or crafts to share.

·         Participants have the choice of whether to check in the night before and camp out with other riders, or check in the morning of departure. Departure time is after breakfast at approximately 9:00 a.m. each morning (exception: July 5th departure time is approximately 6:30 a.m. to accomodate the morning start time of the Homecoming Parade.)

·         Dozens of community festivals, parades, picnics and special ceremonies are scheduled all across the state as the Wagon Train passes through town.

·         The Wagon Train will stop at known historical sites, marked and unmarked along the way.

·         “Tennessee” John Stewart is the trail boss, responsible for day-to-day wagon train operations. Wagon Master Russ Ledger is responsible for leading the wagon train and troubleshooting on horseback. The wagon team, contracted through muleskinner.com, has led numerous wagon trains over the years.

·         The wagon train is made possible with a grant from the Ohio Bicentennial Commission and corporate sponsors Grange Insurance, Lawhon & Associates, Rutherford-Corbin Funeral Home, ThisWeek Community Newspapers, Worthington Inn, the Village of New Paris and Bicentennial Founding Sponsor Worthington Industries.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Fred Stratmann, Communications Director, 614-466-3531

Lee Yoakum, Deputy Communications Director, 614-644-8531