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Fernie trails community gearing up for annual fundraiser

Trail Razr IV will be held at the Fernie Community Centre on Saturday, May 18
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Trail builders in action. Photo by Troy Nixon

Only in fairytales do trails build and maintain themselves.

It’s the catchcry of the Fernie trails community, which is gearing up for a major annual fundraiser this weekend.

Trail Razr IV will be held at the Fernie Community Centre on Saturday, May 18 and feature a buffet dinner, silent and live auctions, games, dancing and more.

Hosted by the Fernie Mountain Bike Club (FMBC), the event will raise vital funds for local trail infrastructure with all proceeds going to the Fernie Trails Alliance (FTA).

“Although the FMBC puts on the event it really is for everybody that uses the trails in the Elk Valley,” said FMBC and FTA vice president, Angela Etheridge. “Hikers, bikers, dog walkers, snowshoers, fatbikers – it is for everyone.”

Tickets range from the $40 “I love Fernie Trails”, which includes dinner and entry, to a table of eight with exclusive merchandise for $500.

Ticket sales are going well, according to Etheridge. She added that those who had not purchased their ticket by noon Tuesday, May 14 would not be guaranteed dinner but could still attend the event.

Etheridge said money raised at Trail Razr will likely go into the FTA’s general trail maintenance budget, rather than being earmarked for a specific trail.

The FTA is the umbrella organization responsible for the overall maintenance and building of the trail network, while member clubs, such as the FMBC, represent the different types of trail users.

The FTA is operated primarily by a group of hardworking volunteers, who do everything from handling legal documents and communications to digging in the dirt.

Etheridge said a great way to contribute is by making a donation to the FTA, a registered charity. Trail users can also support the FTA by signing up for any of the member clubs – FMBC, the Fernie Trails and Ski Touring Club, the Fernie Nordic Society and Stag Leap Running Co.

The FTA will soon announce details for the Fernie Trails Pass for weekend/day trail users or non-members. Trail Razr IV kicks off at 6 p.m. Saturday. To buy tickets, visit Fmbc.ca/Trail-Raizr-IV.

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The FTA’s Thursday night trail crew constructs a bridge on Flow WRKR to address a muddy section. Submitted