Motorcyclists from across the nation will come together September 20, 2025, for a scenic ride across the north Alabama region to honor Native American Indians. Now in its 32nd year, the Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride travels from Bridgeport in the northeastern part of Alabama to the northwestern town of Waterloo, and along with the celebratory ride, there is a kick-off rally in Bridgeport Friday, Sept. 19 and a three-day Indian Festival in Waterloo for the public to take part in.
A kick-off rally offering children’s activities, live music, a street dance, fireworks show and other free family fun for the public to enjoy is scheduled in downtown Bridgeport on Friday, Sept. 19. Bikes will arrive from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian Reservation at 3:00 p.m. and the official opening ceremony gets underway at 5:00 p.m. Music begins at 5:30 p.m. slated to perform for the special 32nd anniversary is John Stone and the Trailer Park Allstars Band from Broadway in Nashville who will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. and again at 9:30 p.m. following the fireworks show.
Please join The Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride as it begins at the Alabama/Tennessee state line off U.S. Highway 72 in Downtown Bridgeport with riders departing at 8 a.m. CST on Saturday, Sept. 20. The ride travels U. S. Highway 72 West to I-565 West arriving at Redstone Harley-Davidson at approximately 10:30 a.m. for an official lunch stop. The public is invited to welcome riders while enjoying lunch and special entertainment. At 12 p.m. riders will depart and head west through Athens and Florence arriving in Waterloo at approximately 2:00 p.m.
The town of Waterloo will host a free Indian Festival September 19-21 in remembrance of all those who walked the Trail of Tears. Presented by the Alabama Indian Affairs Commission, the three-day event offers live music on Saturday night, flute and drum music and displays from Native American artisans and vendors. A River Walk Dedication Ceremony is scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m. to honor those who experienced the forced journey with the grand entry slated for 1 p.m. and bikes arriving around 2:00 p.m.
A ride in from Cherokee, N.C .will leave at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 19 from the Cherokee Welcome Center, and a ride continuation to Sulphur, OK will leave from Spring Park in Tuscumbia at 8 a.m. Sunday morning.
The ride is held rain or shine. For more information on the Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride including a map of the route and a schedule of events, https://trail-of-tears.webflow.io/the-ride/this-years-ride, or like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Trailoftearsmotorcycle.