AUTUMN TRAILS OPENING WEEKEND
by
Maryann Miller

 

The first weekend of the annual Autumn Trails month-long festival in Winnsboro is somewhat of a study in contrasts. At City Park bikers come for the Chicken Run Motorcycle Rally, and at Winnsboro High School some of the area's loveliest young ladies vie for Queen Autumn Trails. The pageant has been an integral part of Autumn Trails since its inception in 1959.

This year's Queen is Shayla Henson, (center) with First Runner-Up Kasi Geraci on her left, and Second Runner-Up Stephanie Hamilton on her right. (Photos courtesy of Terry Matthews, at the Sulphur Springs News-Telegram.)

All the contestants competed in a number of categories, including Casual Dress. Pictured here are (L-R) Angela Watkins, Roxanne Roberts, Stephanie Hamilton, Karlee Finney, Kasi Geraci and Shayla Henson. Kasi won the category. Other special awards were given to Shayla Henson for Talent, Kasi Geraci for Interview, Stephanie Hamilton for Evening Gown and Photogenic, and Angela Watkins for Ticket Sales.

On the other side of town all day Saturday, the distinctive sound of motorcycles could be heard at City Park and around town as bikers competed in the Third Annual Chicken Run. The rally helps support Enough is Enough, Winnsboro's Drug Task Force, and all profits go to that cause. Pictured on the left, from L-R are Enough Is Enough volunteers Cindy Gillis, SherrieHansen, and Carla Asbill signing up bikers for the Chicken Run

Debbie Boles, (R) who is on the Chicken Run committee that is headed up by Gayle Gearner of Poultry Plus, said they had over a hundred bikes signed up for the Run early Saturday morning and expected a lot more throughout the day. In addition to those signed up to make the Run, there were at least another hundred bikes in the park. "We made some changes this year," Debbie said. "We aren't charging them to come into the park, and we are really pushing this as a family affair."

Debbie went on to say that they are building for the future, hoping each year to get bigger and better, and being a family-oriented rally helps. "There aren't many rallies that cater to the whole family," she said. "And we really like the fact that this is good, wholesome fun. It is heavily supported by Christian bike associations."

In line with that Christian focus, one of the venders at the rally was Garrett Boyd, who makes custom brake rotors, wheel covers, and other motorcycle accessories with a Christian motif. His company is Potter's Wheel, and he said he started doing Christian designs "so bikers could have a way to visibly declare their faith."

Garrett, who is from Burleson, Texas, has come to all three Chicken Runs, and plans to be back for the Swap Meet, October 26 &27.

People come to these rallies for the fun of the contest, which sends bikers to designated spots around town where they pick up a playing card and have their contest form verified. The winner is determined by the best poker hand that can be made from the cards.

But they also come just for the opportunity to meet with other bikers and share a strip of highway for a while. Bill Hamner, a retired police officer and author, rides a Kawasaki Vulcan, and said he and his wife make as many rallies as they can. "I don't do the contest anymore," he said. "Last time I ran one, I didn't even get a pair. That's how bad my luck is."

Bill lives in the community of Cartwright, where he works on his books that are based on actual cases he was involved with as a police officer. "I think I have more luck with my books," he joked.

For more information about Bill and his books visit his site at Author's Den

Attractions this year for the rally included lots of games for children and an impressive display of special motorcycles inside the Auditorium. This limited edition bike made by Indian Motorcycle Company is owned by Guy and Lynn Brown of Yantis. It is called "TSA-LA-GI War Pony" and has amazing leather and silver details.

There were a number of other bikes on display, but the star attraction was a special bike (pictured below) customized by Rick Fairless of Stroker Dallas It was made from a design by 16-year-od Damean Stone and is owned by his parents Mike & Donna Stone. Damean worked for Stroker and was killed in a bike accident in September 2002. "He had all the parts picked out and the design figured out," Mike said. "So we just went with what he wanted and finished it out."

Mike and Donna display the bike as a tribute to their son, but Mike also rides it. "We named the bike Little Man because everyone called Damean Little Man," Mike said.

Pictured on the right are Marcus and Jenny Folmar from Winnsboro, who stopped to admire this special bike. They admitted they would love to own a bike like that but would "hate to put it on the road. You don't want art work like that getting all dinged up."

 

 

 

Later, Mike Westerfield (below R) from Tyler came in with his grandson, Brendan Westerfield, who agreed that was an awesome bike. Brendan said he would like to ride the bike and made appropriate VROOM VROOM sounds. Mike belongs to the Christian Motorcycle Association, and he looked forward to starting the kids' games a little later. "We do this whenever we can," he says. "It's a good way to show the kids how to have good, clean fun."

Motorcycle riding is largely associated with men, with perhaps their lady riding shotgun, but a number of women are riding solo and loving it. Frances (below L) who lives in Emory rides with a group from there and joined up with another group of five ladies from Rockwall. She has been riding for about five years by herself, after being introduced to the sport by her former husband.

This is her first time to be at the Winnsboro event. "I just came to see what it was like," she said. "And later our two groups will go out and ride out to Pittsburg and Gilmer together. We're not interested in competing in the Chicken Run, but it is just fun to take a leisurely ride through the country."

That pretty well summed up the attitude of a lot of folks who just came out and enjoyed the day.