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Adventure Tourism and ATV ResQ Team Work Together at Eastern Kentucky Charity

Breathitt County, KY - At 7:00 AM on a late fall Sunday morning in Southeast Kentucky, twelve members of the Grapevine – Chavies Volunteer Fire Department’s “ATV / Off-Road ResQ Team” assembled at a site in south Breathitt County near the community of Crockettsville. Members brought with them several 4X4 all terrain vehicles, and other specialized equipment, needed to provide off-road rescue services to participants at what was planned to be: “An attempt to break the ‘World’s Record’ for the most ATVs in one line!”

Following registration and the ATV parade, all participants enjoyed the opening of Kentucky’s latest addition to ‘Adventure Tourism’ – the new “Buckhorn Trailhead.” Leading to the East Kentucky Trail System, this recently completed 28 mile segment consist of scenic off-road trails which run near the Perry and Breathitt County lines. Eventually, it will be part of a network covering five Southeastern Kentucky counties.

This was the first major event for GCVFD’s new 4X4 YAMAHA Rhino 450 side-by-side and an ‘All Terrain ResQ Trailer’ acquired earlier this year though a $10,000 grant from the YAMAHA Motor Corporation USA and Andy’s Cycles of Hazard, Kentucky.

With several hundred off-road vehicles participating, and potentially over 1000 riders on the trail, GCVFD’s ‘ATV / Off-Road ResQ Team’ was on standby for emergency responses should participants require medical assistance during the trail ride. Also on hand was a 2008 “MERV” 4X4 Mini-Emergency Response Vehicle, set up for ‘Advanced Life Support’ on the trail, plus a second ATV and ‘All Terrain ResQ Trailer’ with stretcher, provided by ///EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT of Independence, KY.

In all, the Grapevine – Chavies VFD’s new ‘ATV / Off-Road ResQ Team’ deployed four YAMAHA Rhinos and two ‘All Terrain Res-Q Trailers,’ plus a “MERV” staffed with a Paramedic and EMT for service during this event. None of this would have been possible without the assistance of Yamaha Motor Corporation USA, Andy’s Cycles of Hazard, KY, and ///EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT of Independence, KY.

This event was a joint effort by the country music artist “Halfway 2 Hazard” and the Tourism Commissions of Perry and Breathitt Counties. Riders were expected from all over the region, as well as from several adjoining states. At registration, it was found one couple traveled from Ontario, Canada, to participate. The ride started at 10:15 AM and concluded at 3:00 PM but the family oriented fun didn’t stop there.

At 5:00 PM, a live charity concert featuring country music artist “Halfway 2 Hazard” and ‘special guest’ began. Proceeds from this live concert, and a silent auction associated with the event, will benefit the nearby Buckhorn Children’s Center. With the generosity of thousands of participants and hundred’s of volunteers, the event raised $100,000 in support of programs for troubled children provided by the center. During a break in the music, Kentucky’s Lt. Governor Daniel Mongiardo addressed the crowd. He applauded the charity trail ride and concert as an excellent example of how the advent of “Adventure Tourism” will bring greater prosperity to this historically depressed region of Southeast Kentucky.

For more information on next year’s Halfway 2 Hazard Charity Trail Ride and Concert visit: www.perrycountytourism.com.

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