Riders Honor Trail of Tears

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Motorcyclists from across the country are once again riding to honor Native American history during the 32nd annual Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride.

The ride began Friday morning in Cherokee, North Carolina, home of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. 

Riders traveled through the Nantahala Gorge and Ocoee River Gorge before stopping at Ross’ Landing in Chattanooga around 2:00 p.m. 

They then continued at 3:00 p.m. toward Bridgeport, Alabama.

Bridgeport will host a kick-off rally on Friday, September 19, featuring family activities, live music, a street dance, fireworks, and a headline performance by John Stone and the Trailer Park Allstars from Broadway in Nashville.

On Saturday, September 20, the official ride departs Bridgeport at 8 a.m. CST, traveling along U.S. Highway 72 with a rest stop at Redstone Harley-Davidson in Huntsville before heading west through Florence and into Waterloo.

Waterloo will host a three-day Indian Festival September 19–21, presented by the Alabama Indian Affairs Commission. 

The festival includes live music, traditional flute and drum performances, artisan displays, a River Walk Dedication Ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, and a grand entry at 1 p.m. 

Bikers are expected to arrive in Waterloo around 2:00 p.m.