PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (February 2012) – Fifty adventure-loving cowgirls and their caravan of 30 Western-decorated travel trailers, some more than a half-century old, will add a special flair to Saddle Up, Pigeon Forge, Tenn.’s, Feb. 23-26 tribute to the Old West.
The cowgirls are members of Sisters on the Fly, a national organization of women who enjoy outdoor activities. The Saddle Up caravan members are from at least 13 states, stretching from Florida and Mississippi to Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
They will set up camp at Clabough’s Campground and will be an extra component of a chuckwagon cookoff and Buckaroo Roundup on Feb. 25 (Saturday).
Their 12- to 24-foot-long travel trailers, which owners describe as decorated in “a Western kitschy style,” will be open for inspection that day.
The Stages West western wear store, a major supporter of Saddle Up, invited the group to Pigeon Forge.
“The Sisters on the Fly and Saddle Up go together like rodeos and wranglers,” said Marlene Houser of Stages West. “The Sisters will have a great time, and they’ll add to the overall Western atmosphere of Saddle Up.”
Sisters on the Fly was created by two real-life sisters, Becky Clarke and Maurrie Sussman, in 1999 while on a Montana fly-fishing trip. Their love of the outdoors has led to a 1,700-member group ranging in age from 20-somethings to women almost 90.
Saddle Up offers a variety of concerts with entertainers such as R.W. Hampton, Stephanie Davis & the Roadrunners, Cowboy Celtic, Saddle Cats, Andy Nelson, Chuck Pyle, Ray Doyle and Kent Rollins. There is a Cowboy Dance on Feb. 25, and a non-denominational Cowboy Church service follows a chuckwagon breakfast on Feb. 26.
Saddle Up ticket information and a schedule of activities are at MyPigeonForge.com/saddleup.