We love a good reason to get muddy, what better reason than a High Lifter mud event where proceeds go to a good cause. Since 2008 High Lifter Products in Shreveport, Louisiana has held an annual ride to raise money for Shreveport’s local Shriners Hospital. The event is a toy drive that is normally held in December and has a Christmas theme, however due to severe weather the date of the ride was pushed back into January. Although toys would be arriving after the holidays to the kids at the Shriners Hospital, the change of date couldn’t have worked out better for riders. Beautiful 70 degree weather brought out a record breaking attendance for the ride, High Lifter managed to raise over $14,000 in cash and a trailer full of new toys.
The event started with an all you can eat pancake breakfast so we made sure to show up hungry. We arrived about 9:00AM that morning and to no surprise the parking area was filling up fast. We saw all sorts of side x sides from Polaris RZRs and Can Am Mavericks to Kawasaki Teryx and Yamaha Rhinos, most of which were lifted and set up with aggressive tires ready for mud, we spent quite some time checking out these cool UTVs before we even made it to the registration table.
The entry fee was an unwrapped toy; we headed up to get signed in to ride and to drop off our toys. It didn’t take long to see some of the familiar faces from the High Lifter Mud National Events, we were greeted with smiles and warm welcomes. One thing that we love about UTV events like this that differs from many types of events is that SxS people are super friendly and hospitable, every one made sure to make us feel welcome and we were often asked if we have eaten yet. With food in mind, we made our way over to the pancake stand.
After breakfast some of the sweetest machines present lined up for the Show N Shine. One of our favorite parts of the event, the Show N Shine gives the attendees an opportunity to appreciate some really nice custom side by sides. After taking a good look as well as some photos, attendees cast their vote for their favorite ride.
It was finally time to get out and ride, so we geared up and headed down the main trail and begun our exploration of the 574 acre riding park. Quickly impressed, High Lifter Offroad Park offers nicely groomed and cleared trails, many mud pits, a motocross track and a few play ponds. The park’s biggest pond is right off the main trail; there you’ll find it’s the main hangout when out on the trails. As people come and go, it was a great spot to visit with fellow riders and watch as others tested the depths of the water in their mud machines.
When it was lunch time you could find burgers and chicken at the same food stand where breakfast was served, we had the burgers and give them A++. Many folks cooked out as well, we often got a whiff of the wonderful smell charcoal grills. As we mentioned SxS people are super friendly and hospitable, drawn to particular grill, we had a local group invite us to try some great southern cooking.
After a full day a trail riding, mud bogging and hanging out with some great people, High Lifter wrapped up the event with the announcement of the Show N Shine winners and the big raffle prize: a new Polaris RZR 170.
We really enjoyed our trip to High Lifter Offroad Park; the Shriners Ride is a great way to spend time with family and friends as well as making new friends and all for a great cause. We invite you to make a difference in the lives of the children at Shreveport’s Shiners Hospital by joining us at the next High Lifter Shriners Ride; we guarantee you’ll have a blast.
For more information on High Lifter Offroad Park visit: https://www.hlorp.com/
Look out for the next High Lifter Ride at: https://www.facebook.com/MudNationalEvents
