ROBERTSDALE, Alabama --- It’s time once again to Saddle Up for St. Jude as the 9^th Annual Trail Ride will be held Saturday, March 17 at Kaiser Farms.

A large turnout is once again expected for the ride, said coordinator Joe Ulrich, who took over the duties last year from Larry York, who organized the inaugural ride and was the ride coordinator for the first seven years of the event.

“We owe him so much for putting this whole thing together,” Ulrich said of York, who still helps with the ride’s organization. “We definitely would not be where we are without him.”

First organized in 2004, the ride, which is conducted on Kaiser Farms property off of U.S. Highway 90, 10 miles east of Robertsdale, is recognized by St. Jude as the largest Saddle Up event in the country, Ulrich said. As many as 600 horses and riders have participated in the ride. Last year about 350 horses and riders participated.

For those who are unable to ride, about 10 tractor-drawn hay wagons will also be available to carry riders, Ulrich said.

Gates open at Kaiser Farms at 7 a.m. Live entertainment by Amanda Pritchett and Erica Miller is set to begin at 8:30 a.m. with the ride program beginning around 9:30 a.m.

Lunch provided by LA BBQ will be served following the ride. Plates will be available for a suggested donation of $15 for adults, $6 for children under 12.

Entertainment is set to begin again at 1:30 p.m. Additional acts will also be performing, Ulrich said, including special appearances by the Poarch Creek Indian Dancers and Princesses.

The family-friendly alcohol free event will also include arts & crafts, a petting zoo, face painting, along with other activities.

There will also be a cowboy camp, native American camp, as well as Civil War re-enactors set up along the trail, Ulrich said.

“We’ve added some things this year,” Ulrich said. “We’re hoping to provide events that appeal to everyone from 5 to 85 years old.”

Dark Horse Photography will be on site to provide photos of the event. Ulrich also expressed thanks to 95KSJ and other media outlets for providing publicity for the event, and numerous event sponsors, including Wind Creek Casino & Hotel and Town & Country Bingo.

Founded by actor Danny Thomas in 1962, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, based in Memphis, Tenn., is celebrating its 50^th year of operation in 2012, providing research and treatment for children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases.

St. Jude is committed to providing free care and has treated children from all 50 states and around the world, treating on average 7,800 active patients each year with 78 inpatient beds and treating an average of 260 patients each day, most of whom are treated on an outpatient basis.

According to its website, www.stjude.org, the daily operating cost for St. Jude is $1.7 million, which is primarily covered by public contributions.

Proceeds from the annual Saddle Up for St. Jude Trail Ride go to benefit the hospital and to provide operating expenses for the ride. For more information on how to donate, contact Ulrich at 251-747-9806.