The Steelville Trail of Tears Remembrance Committee will be hosting its Third Annual Remember the Removal Walk, Ride, and Bike along the original Trail of Tears Northern Route on December 6. All proceeds from the event will go toward the establishment of a Trail of Tears monument in the Steelville Community Park.

The Cherokee and other people's forced relocation starting in 1838 via the “Trail of Tears” is an acknowledged tragedy in U.S. history. The Trail of Tears, was a terrible and sorrowful journey, one that the Cherokee people still work to overcome. During this relocation process, 10 Cherokee detachments were forced to make the passage through Steelville. Those detachments camped on the H. E. Davis Farm, which is now the Steelville Community Park.

The December 6 event will retrace the footsteps of those who were forced to travel the trail of tears with a five-mile walk, 13-mile trail ride, and 30-mile bike ride along the original route east of Steelville.

For the five-mile walk, participants should meet at the Steelville Community Park. The start time is 12:30 p.m. Check-in and on-site registration begins at 11 a.m. Shuttles will be available to transport participants to the starting location on Long Spring Road. The walk will end at the Steelville Community Park.

The 13-mile trail ride starts at Brickey’s Slab, 17 Huzzah Creek Road and ends at the Steelville Community Park. Check-in and on-site registration begins at 11 a.m. Start time is noon.

The 30-mile Bike Ride starts and ends at the Steelville Community Park. Start time 10 a.m. Check-in and on-site registration begins at 9 a.m. The route can be found online at 

https://www.strava.com/routes/3267277468015717824.

Registration for 16 and older is $40 and $25 for youth. Children younger than 10 can participate for free and do not need to register.

This year there is also a virtual component. If you can't participate in person, you can join the event virtually. Special prizes will be given for best participation from a Trail of Tears location, best picture, and participant that is furthest away from Steelville.

Sponsors are also being sought for the event. At the $125 sponsorship level you will be able to put your company name on the back of the participant shirts. At the $275 sponsorship level you will be able to put your company logo on the back of the participant shirts. At the $500 sponsorship level you will be able to put your company logo on the back of the participant shirts, and on a sponsorship sign at the park, and two free event registrations. At the $1,000 sponsorship level you will be able to put your company logo on the back of the participant shirts, sponsorship signs at the park and along the route, and four free event registrations. Other donations are accepted as well. Register by November 15 to guarantee placement.

You can also mail your tax-deductible contribution to: Steelville Area Historical Society, 10535 Doc Polk Rd., Steelville, MO 65565. Registration and sponsorship can be completed at https://runsignup.com/Race/ MO/Steelville/TrailofTearsRideWalk.