What to Expect on the Wagon Train
Frequently Asked Questions

This information was available to participants before the
Bicentennial Wagon Train's departure.

Welcome on board the Bicentennial Wagon Train. Indicated below is important information to ensure you have a great trip as we honor and recognize the accomplishments and courageous spirit of the state’s early settlers, Ohio’s statehood in 1803, and founding of Worthington in 1803.

Parking:  Parking instructions will be given to you at each encampment.  Click here to view directions and details for each day of the journey. If you are traveling for one day only, you will be transported back to your vehicle at the end of the day’s trip and the evening meal. If you are continuing on the wagon train, you will need to make your own arrangements to be returned to your vehicle.

Check In:  If you indicated when you registered that you would be checking in on the evening before your departure, you may check in anytime between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. If you are checking in on the morning of your departure, you may check in anytime between 6 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. but no later than 6:30 a.m. At the check-in area, you will be greeted and issued an I.D. band.  You must wear the band during the duration of the day’s trip.  If you are continuing on the Wagon Train, you will be asked to check in on each day of your journey at which time you will be issued a new I.D. band.

ORIENTATION: Prior to your departure, an orientation session will be held at which time Wagonmaster Russ Leger will review safety procedures and the travel plans for the day. Wagon assignments will also be made at this time. Please disregard previous information you may have received in the mail about wagon assignments, as the size and capacity of wagons varies and the number of wagons has increased. All attempts will be made to keep family members together.

MEALS:  Your I.D. band will serve as your meal ticket for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The color of the band will indicate whether your meals are included or not included in your registration fee. In general, breakfast will be served between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. Lunches will generally be served between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Dinners will usually take place between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

DEPARTURE: Generally, the Wagon Train will pull out of its morning encampment after breakfast and be on the road by approximately 9:00 a.m. On Saturday, July 5th, the departure time will be at approximately 6:30 a.m. to accomodate the morning start time of the Bicentennial Homecoming Parade.

STAFF: Tennessee John Stewart of Muleskinner.com LLC is the Trail Boss of the Bicentennial Wagon Train.  Russ Leger is the Wagonmaster.

Other Wagon Train Facts

Interesting stories from the trail.

Click here to email Wagon Train organizers with any additional questions.

WHERE DOES THE WAGON TRAIN BEGIN? The wagon train starts on Saturday, June 21, at Martins Ferry, on the banks of the Ohio River where many early settlers and their wagons crossed into Ohio. A community festival marking the preparations and start of the wagon train will be held on June 20.

WHO SHOULD COME ON THE RIDE?
Anyone who is interested in history and wants to take part in a unique once-in-a-lifetime experience to celebrate Ohio’s 200th birthday should consider participating. Both families and individuals are encouraged to take part. The trip would be a special opportunity for parents to spend quality time with their children and for grandparents to share a special bond with their grandchildren. Teachers may wish to come as a group for an interesting summer vacation. Youth groups, such as 4-H groups, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, with parents or other adults may wish to experience the train together as may college groups working on class credits. The train might also be a one-of-a-kind experience for family wedding groups. There are no restrictions on age; however, the sponsors require that those under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Furthermore, it is recommended that parents with infants and younger children be prepared to cope without modern conveniences.

ABOUT THE WAGONS:
The Ohio Bicentennial Commission and the Worthington Bicentennial Committee will provide 13 wagons in the train, from Martins Ferry in Belmont County to New Paris in Preble County. The wagons will accommodate 130 riders along with the drivers. All of the wagons are wooden with wooden, steel-rimmed wheels and a canvas top. The larger wagons have benches down the side. In the smaller wagons hay bales will be placed for seating. Riders may bring a small cushion on which to sit. The wagons are not handicapped accessible. The wagons will be pulled by a pair or pairs of mules, depending on the size of the wagon. An experienced "teamster" will be assigned to drive each wagon.

ON THE TRAIL:
 The daily schedule will begin early. Breakfast will be eaten, gear packed, and the wagon train will move out, generally at about 8:30 a.m. However, each day’s schedule will depend on the day’s route and the number of stops along the route. The wagons will string out in a line, bordered by riders and walkers in small groups. The wagon train will average three to four miles per hour, depending on the terrain, weather conditions, and stops for special observances. Lunches will be provided by wagon train organizers or hosted by community organizations, local governments or businesses along the route. The wagon train will stop at known historical sites, marked and unmarked along the way. Often there will be celebrations at sites of significance. The wagon train itself is several steps back into history, and the sponsors encourage all trail riders to participate enthusiastically in these recollections and the sharing of historical knowledge, folk crafts, musical talents and other skills. When the destination for the day is reached, the wagons will encircle the campsite, and the mules will be cared for. The train’s organizers will prepare dinner, or in many cases communities along the path will host special potluck dinners for the train’s participants. Trail riders are encouraged to bring their musical instruments and craft material to share them during the evening. Singing, skits, history talks and sharing stories will signal the end of the day.

RIDE OR WALK:
Once a registrant’s request to ride on a wagon provided by the Ohio Bicentennial Commission has been accepted, the registrant’s seat on a wagon is reserved. The participant may stay on the covered wagon all of the time, or may ride and walk. Some participants may choose to walk all the way. The choice is up to the participants. On most days the wagon train will cover about 12 miles per day.

WHAT WILL BE EXPECTED OF YOU:
Like the pioneers, the wagon train is a community, and participants are dependent upon one another. All trail riders are assigned to a wagon as their home base; however, wagon assignments may change from day to day. Families will be kept together, depending on space requirements. All members of the "wagon family" are expected to participate fully in the activities of their wagon. Because the physical routine is probably more rigorous than one's normal routine, a physical checkup may be advisable, and a tetanus shot should be considered. Any existing medical condition should be evaluated by your personal physician prior to the wagon train. Proper medications and other health precautions are each rider’s responsibility during the wagon train.

WAGON TRAIN STAFF:

“Tennessee” John Stewart of muleskinner.com will be the Trail Boss, responsible for the day-to-day operation of the train during its 24-day journey. He and his staff will make the many necessary preparations for the wagon train each day to ensure a safe and meaningful experience for participants. Ninety percent of the staff have covered by wagon all of the major trails of the West -- the Mormon, Santa Fe, Oregon,

Applegate and the Cimarron trails. Included among the staff are a Ph.D. microbiologist, who will be responsible for food, and a licensed nurse, who is also a certified EMT (Emergency Medical Technician). The staff has a combined total of more than 200 years of trail experience and is accident free. See Stewart’s Web site, www.muleskinner.com, for more information.

WHAT TO WEAR:
All participants are highly encouraged to attire themselves in proper period clothing during the wagon train in order to maintain the essential flavor and atmosphere of the period. Women may wear a blouse with a long skirt with a tie or elastic waistband. An old brooch, shawl, or apron may be added to give the outfit a look of the early 1800s. Bonnets are a must for protection from the sun. Men could wear a work shirt of the period and breeches fastened at the knee with socks covering the calves. Vests and suspenders may also be added. Children are also asked to wear period clothing. Hats should have tie strings. Baseball caps will not be permitted. No T-shirts or halter-tops will be allowed. Resource books are listed on the Worthington Bicentennial Web site, www.worthington.org. Patterns may be obtained at fabric stores in clothes pattern books such as Simplicity and McCalls. Rental of pioneer clothing is also an option. The Worthington Web site has a list of options in the central Ohio area. The weather is variable so include rain gear and a jacket. Work gloves are helpful for some duties and cooler weather. Shoes and boots should be well broken in to prevent blisters. Depending on the number of days participants will take part in the train, riders may wish to bring a change of clothes, some warm and some cooler to wear, and designed for outdoor living. Evenings may be cool, and trail riders may find sleeping in a sweat suit both comfortable and practical.

WHAT TO BRING:

The wagon train seeks to honor those who settled the state and Worthington 200 years ago, so participants should choose items accordingly. Keep baggage light and pack in a sturdy duffel bag or small suitcase. Participants should make a checklist, and pack only what they really need. The wagon train experience will be like camping without modern facilities. Toilet facilities are port-a-johns, which will be transported

along the  route and are not handicapped accessible. Toilet paper is provided; however, you will need your own other personal toilet items, and a small wash basin may be helpful. At some encampments showers will be available. Sleeping gear should be adequate for cooler nights. Participants may sleep in the wagons, under the wagons or in their own tents, which will provide protection against rain and mosquitoes. Tents should be as small and light as possible. If you are not bringing a tent, bring a ground cloth for adequate protection from rain and dew. Musical instruments should be packed in sturdy cases. Canteens are essential. Flashlights, chapstick, and insect repellent are helpful. Many people find an empty plastic ice cream pail with lid and carry handle to be a handy wash basin. Participants will be provided a mess kit that includes a plate and utensils. These will be washed and reused each day. No electronic devices, with the exception of cameras, video cameras and cell phones, are allowed. The use of cell phones will be restricted to a short time period during evenings or for emergencies. Use of other equipment not authorized will result in confiscation until the end of the ride. No pets are allowed. Click here for a complete packing check list.

TRANSPORTATION:
Participants will be responsible for providing their own transportation to the site where they begin the trip and from the location where they end their trip. For those who are on one-day excursions, transportation will be provided to their vehicles at the end of the day after the evening meal. These vehicles will be parked in one spot during the ride and watched as much as possible by local police. The use of private vehicles by non-staff members during the ride is not allowed.

CHECK IN:
Registered participants have the option of arriving the evening before the day on which they begin the trip or on the morning on which they begin their journey. If they choose to join the train in the evening, they are to arrive and check in with organizers between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. If participants choose to check in in the morning, they must arrive between 6 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. and will be assigned a wagon and responsibilities at that time.

ORIENTATION:
Participants who are from the Worthington area will take part in a series of sessions to acquaint them with the first phase of the wagon train trip, the history of the areas covered, and other aspects of the trip which will make the experience more meaningful. The participation in these sessions for those outside the Worthington area is optional. A brief orientation session for participants will be held each morning of the trip, which will include an introduction to key personnel, a review of travel guidelines and safety requirements, the stops and historical sites along the route.

NO-ALCOHOL POLICY:
The train is a family affair. Since some families may not believe in the consumption of alcoholic beverages, the storage and consumption of alcoholic beverages will not be tolerated in or near the wagons, within the wagon circle, or on the day-time trail. Those who do not wish to abide by the rules of dress code and alcohol consumption are in violation of the spirit of the ride and will be asked to leave the wagon train.

Registration Information

Daily Schedule and Route

Packing Check List

Costumes