If you have been on the Bethel Park branch of the Montour Trail recently, you will notice people proudly wearing yellow t-shirts emblazoned with the Help Bridge the Gap logo. The t-shirt wearers were part of the Party on the Trail on Saturday, May 22. The hot weather helped bring over 330 participants to the first Party on the Trail hosted by the Bethel Park Friends of the Montour Trail.

The party was an open house where trail users could ramble, run, or ride on the trail at their leisure with all proceeds going to the Clifton Road Bridge Fund. Participants returned to a delicious lunch provided by Brian's Hardwood Hogs. Other sponsors included DeLallo's Restaurant, Dick's Sporting Goods and Smart Health.

Everyone received a passport to be stamped at stations along the trail. There were five stations people could travel to from Logan Route all the way to Route 19. A special thanks goes to members of the Peters Township Friends for helping us man the stations. For each station they traveled to, partygoers received a raffle ticket. The further they went on the trail, the more chances they had to win a prize.

It was great to see so many trail users enjoying the wonderful weather and using the trail. This unique, non-competitive event was a success and the Bethel Friends are looking forward to hosting the 2nd Party on the Trail next year.

- Beverly McKee