This weekend folks will saddle up for a cause during a Trail Ride and Wagon Train event benefiting Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital at Rockin C Ranch in Brookhaven.

There is no fee to participate though donations at the gate are encouraged. Owner of Rockin C Ranch, Wiley Calcote, said this family-oriented weekend is open to the entire community.

“We want everybody to come, it’s a community event,” Calcote said. “Even if they don’t feel like they can donate we still want them there. We’re gonna have a good time.”

Gates will open at the ranch, located at 401 Wakefield Lane, at noon on Friday for people to set up and get settled. Trail rides and wagon train rides will begin at 8:30 to 9 a.m. on Saturday. An auction will be held after the ride at 5 p.m. with all proceeds going to the children’s hospital. Wild Horse Ministries will present a service of sorts after the rides at 7 p.m. Saturday. Calcote said Paul Daily of Wild Horse Ministries relates an unbroken horse to people’s relationship with God.

“Working with the horse he ministers to the people talking about your daily life struggles with God,” Calcote said. “The way this horse is carrying on, kicking and bucking — he just relates that back to the scriptures and it’s really interesting.”

On Sunday, activities will begin with Cowboy Church at 8 a.m. Calcote said everyone will gather for a devotion and worship service before going for a ride. After the ride, chicken plates will be for sale.

This is the first time an event like this at the ranch has been a fundraiser, and Calcote said it will be an annual event each second weekend in October. Calcote said Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital was an easy choice for a beneficiary, as so many have been touched by the hospital and its cause.

“They take everybody in and it’s just a good cause to help these children out and help them out at this hospital,” Calcote said. “There are a lot of people right here in Lincoln County that have had a child or a grandchild in this hospital and that’s why we chose it.”

Aside from food for sale, the entire event is free, with donations encouraged but not necessary. Water and a bathhouse will be available, but guests are asked to bring their own generators.

For more information about the Rockin C Ranch or the event, call Calcote at 601-754-9965.