By Gerri Miller
Elmore/Autauga Staff Writer
Alabama’s Public Health Veterinarian Dee Jones has something planned for every age at this year’s Real Men Wear Pink charity event on October 2, 2021 at Hope’s Creek Valley in Clanton. There will be children’s activities, live music, food and arts and crafts vendors, trail rides and a petting zoo.
All proceeds from the event will be donated to the American Cancer Society. This is the second year that Jones has organized the event and last year he raised $6,500 for the organization.
The main event will be trail rides for horseback riders. There are 17 miles of trails that can be explored at Hope’s Creek Valley. There are trails that are level and easy to ride and one that goes up a mountain but that is not considered hard. Trails have beautiful creek views and other beautiful scenery. There is a pavilion with a fireplace and a seating area and lakes and lots of creek frontage. There are campsites with power and water and a small, quaint chapel.
The trail ride admission is $25 and general admission is $5. In addition to the trail ride and a kids’ petting zoo, this year Jones has added top-notch entertainment. Shackelford Lane will headline the event. Russell Craig and Ben Norris will also be performing.
Shackelford Lane is a local country favorite originating in Autaugaville. Brothers Will & Reid Shackelford started the band in 2018 and have since performed across the southeast. The duo has over half a million spins in their Spotify catalog alone and looks to grow that number with their upcoming single, “Meant to Be.”
The event will also have 15-20 arts and crafts and food vendors for those who like to shop, browse and eat great food.
“We are trying to make this a real family event this year,” Jones said. “Not everyone wants to go horseback riding, so we have things that would appeal to everyone in the community.”
Jones said he has had both clients and friends that have dealt with breast cancer and he wanted his business to have an annual charity event. When Jones is not dealing with public health issues, he also travels across the River Region area as a mobile veterinarian.
“It just kind of found me,” Jones said of the event. “I think it is fun to bring people together for a cause. It’s the most enjoyable thing to see people enjoy giving.”
Sponsors for this year’s event include Hope’s Realty, Thompson Caterpillar and Fuller Landscaping. “We are still accepting sponsors, so if you or your company are interested, feel free to contact me for details,” Jones said.
The address for the trail ride event is 6639 County Road 59 in Clanton. If you would like to be a sponsor or vendor for the event, Dr. Jones can be reached on Facebook at D.W. Jones Dee W. Jones | Facebook or (334) 730-5714.
