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Hikers, Riders Take 'Circus' Outdoors

Tribune photo by JOHN CEBALLOS

Linda Arlington grabs a flag at the start of the trail during the 11th annual Mystery Map Event at the Little Manatee River State Park on Oct. 18. The theme for this year's event, which spotlights the park's trail by allowing hikers and people on horseback to explore it, was A Day at the Circus.

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By JOHN CEBALLOS | South Shore News & Tribune

Published: October 24, 2008

WIMAUMA - As hikers and riders on horseback recently made their way through the Mystery Map Trail at the Little Manatee River State Park, they came upon more than a few unusual sights.

The lush greenery was there as usual, but it was periodically broken up by colorful balloons, stuffed animals and other toys.

On Oct. 18, the park hosted its 11th annual Mystery Map Event, with "A Day at the Circus" as the theme.

"The object is to draw attention to the park and to bring in people that had never been there before," said Cathy Moore, president of the Friends of the Little Manatee River Park, which sponsored the event. "We keep hearing about foreclosures on other parks across the state and we don't want that to happen here."

The park features a six-and-a-half-mile wildlife trail for hikers and 12 miles of equestrian trails.
Moore said 101 horses were registered for this year's event. She estimated between 300 and 400 people — including horse riders and hikers — were in attendance, helping raise about $2,500.

Last year, proceeds from the event went toward new stalls for the horses. This year's money will go toward upgrading electricity in the laundry room.

"Right now there's only enough electricity to power one machine," Moore said. "With more people staying at the park, we want to be able to do some upgrades there."

Members of the Friends of the Little Manatee River State Park and other volunteers donated the circus-themed equipment and helped set up each of the 15 stations along the trail.

"I'd heard about the event before and it sounded like a lot of fun, so I decided to lend a hand," said Jean Trexler, who was volunteering for the first time and lives at Little Manatee Springs, a 55-and-older gated community that is less than five miles away from the park.

Before the start of the festivities at 8:30 a.m., a mystery rider took to the trail, completed each task, recorded his time and sealed it away.

Each registered participant then completed the trail, and the person whose time most closely matched the mystery rider's was named Star of the Show.

Moore said mystery riders have been varied in the past and have included a person who was physically disabled.

"The goal is not to see who can finish the trail the fastest, and that's part of the reason we mix up who the mystery rider is going to be," Moore said. "We want everybody to go through the trail at their own speed and to have a great time.

This year's Star of the Show was Renee Varnadore of Brandon.

"They had me on my horse, they had me juggling. I didn't know what was coming up," Varnadore said. "I had a really good time."

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555.

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