Round ‘Em Up

Riders from throughout Alabama and Florida came together in March for the 5th Annual Spring Round-Up at the Baldwin County Boys Ranch. The Round-Up was a two-day event that began with a pig roast and dance on the Ranch on Friday night, March 1, 2002.

The local country band Confederate Rose played for the 300 guests who enjoyed a catered dinner of roast pork, cole slaw, new potatoes, beans, and rolls. James Wilson donated the catering and the Ranch provided the food for the guests. Buffalo Rock Pepsi furnished the beverages for the event.

Early the next morning nearly 75 people, ranging in age from five years old through 70, rode horses, mules and horsedrawn buggies on a 13-mile route led by the Baldwin County Sheriff's Posse. After the ride, the participants enjoyed a lunch of grilled burgers and hotdogs prepared by the Ranch staff.

The event was created as a way to raise both funds and awareness in the Gulf area for the Baldwin County Boys Ranch, according to Ranch Director Jim Harmon. It is also a fun event that the boys could participate in, said Harmon. All of the boys who live on the Ranch rode in the Round-Up and ride horses regularly.

Jack Dixon of Dixon Sporting Goods in Pensacola, Fla., donated t-shirts for the event. The shirts were sold for $10 each to raise additional funds for the event. The 2003 Round-Up is already slated for the second weekend in March. For more information, please contact Jim Harmon at the Baldwin County Boys Ranch — 251-989-6392.