By Alabama Public Radio
Florence AL – Organizers of the Trail of Tears motorcycle ride are considering rerouting the popular event away from the tiny town of Waterloo and into Florence.
Trial of Tears board member Alison Stanfield says his group will discuss the possibility with the Florence City Council during a work session this Thursday. However, Stanfield says even if there was a change, the Trail of Tears ride would still promote, market and encourage riders to go to Waterloo. There just won't be an official escort. Each years, hundreds of motorcyclist retrace the 230 mile route Native Americans were forced to take from Chattanooga to Waterloo, where they were held before being sent to reservations in Oklahoma. The ride is considered to be the single largest weekend tourism event in the Shoals.