Joe Hornaday
Before the annual Lincoln Day Dinner on March 23, the local Republican Party and its guests will be outdoors for the “Great American Decatur County Four Wheeler and Off-Road Rally.”
The yearly rally will begin promptly at 1 p.m. at North Branch Golf Course on Base Road. Sign-in will be from 12 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. prior to the kick-off. The cost to participate will be $15 per vehicle and driver with $5 per extra rider. This year, all of the proceeds garnered by the rally will be split and donated to the Decatur County Relay For Life and to the local Republican Party to support candidates in the general election in November.
According to Mike Baumgartner, guests and participants do not have to pre-register. Instead, they are invited to show at the golf course with a machine.
“It’s just a matter of showing up and doing it,” Baumgartner explained.
Beginning at North Branch, the rally heads northwest toward the town of St. Paul utilizing a long stretch of County Road 500 N. Once the riders arrive in St. Paul, they will take a break before bearing east across the county to arrive at Lake Santee for another break. From there, the rally will depart south back to North Branch Golf Course, the final destination.
According to Baumgartner, there will be a time for socializing after the event, when local Republican candidates and riders will be able to mingle. Baumgartner invited riders and drivers to come early and share coffee while the chili is prepared for the participants. He beckoned potential riders to “come on out and ride for the causes and meet the candidates.”
For more information about the rally, those interested can contact organizers at 812-663-6062 or 812-614-1437.
