Published: Thursday, March 18, 2010

Plans have been finalized for one of the most anticipated events each fall. The 17th Annual Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride will be held Sept. 18. In conjunction with the ride, the Five Feathers Rally in Madison will be held Friday, Sept 17, in the parking lot at Old Tyme Pottery on Madison Blvd.

It is estimated that between 90,000 and 150,000 riders take part each year. The ride begins in Chattanooga, TN and ends in Waterloo, AL.

The ride is intended to commemorate the forcible removal of over 17,000 Cherokees by General Winfield Scott and to bring public awareness to the rich Native American history surrounding this area.

A special part of this year’s ride will be the filming of scenes for the upcoming "Easy Rider" movie sequel.

The ride will leave downtown Bridgeport, TN at 8 a.m. on Sept. 18 and arrive in Madison at 10 a.m. for a lunch break. From there it will make its way to Waterloo at 1:30 p.m.