Yough-N-Roll/Party on the Trail set for Saturday

Several routes are available for the morning bicycle ride.

An annual tradition will take place this weekend in Elizabeth Township.

The Mon/Yough Trail Council will host its 31st Yough-N-Roll/ Party on the Trail, with the party starting at 10 a.m. Saturday rain or shine near Boston Trailhead.

The all-volunteer nonprofit organization, which has been around since 1991, maintains a 15-mile section of the Great Allegheny Passage. It hosts an annual spring fundraiser, “The Boston ½ Marathon/ 5K Run/Walk,” as well, with most funds going toward trail maintenance.

Council Vice President Ken Medved said he’s excited for the event, and it’s a big job for everyone every year. They start planning after their spring walk/run fundraiser ends.

“We are trying to promote the visitor center more, and what the council does.” council President Richard Kundman said. “A lot of people come by, some will go by four or five times, and they will go ‘I didn’t know this was here.’” The day will start with the bicycle ride, and participants can pick which course and pace they would like to go on the trail. There will be fully stocked rest stops and more, with around 35 volunteers helping throughout the day.

Sponsors for the event include Olympus Energy, Steel Strong Community Federal Credit Union, Levin Furniture and others. Exhibitors include the Mountain Watershed Association, Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh and an author who wrote a book about the trail.

“We have a few more vendors coming down this year,” Kundman said. “Ninety-five percent of our (exhibitors) are nonprofits from the Mon Valley. That’s new.”

They had many renovations done to the trail, including poles for the signs, a fresh coat of paint for the train car and more. The next project they are looking at, after waiting for state funding, is paving the lot by the Boston Bridge to create more parking.

With the new Boston field, Kundman aid there have not been any problems with parking since they have coordinated their event with the township.

Registration for the 40mile ride will start at 7:30 a.m., with the turn-around at Cedar Creek Park and the rest stop at Pavilion 17 on the river side of the trail.

For the 20-mile ride, registration will be from 8:309:30 a.m. The turnaround for the trip will be at the Sutersville Trailhead.

The family 4 Mile Ride registration will be from 9 to 10 a.m. with the turnaround at Twele Road Pavilion, but families can go as far as they want.

There were a lot more children who participated last year, according to council member Candace Cook, as they try to send out flyers to the local schools.

“We are trying to get the community involved,” council member Joanna Stewart said. “Believe it or not, there are still some people in Greenock and Boston that still haven’t been. That amazes me.”

The Dravo Cemetery and Cedar Creek Group Pavilion 17 rest stops will be open from 8 to 11 or 11:30 a.m. The Twele Road Pavilion rest stop is open from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

The day will conclude with fun, camaraderie, music, exhibitors, food with free hot dogs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., children’s games, raffles, prizes and surprises.

“The party afterward is going to be a lot of fun. Lots of kids’ activities, free helmets, bike lights, a raffle table and free food,” Stewart said. “We have bananas, apples and more for anybody on the trail that day. It’s going to be a lot of fun. It’s nice because you see the regulars a lot, and then there are people walking, with so many vendors they get to see.”

More information and registration can be found at thebostontrail. com.