Royal Wade was host to a sold-out concert and trail ride October 3 - 5, 2008 where some 21 states were represented for the event. The concert is held annually in Chester, Arkansas, Royal Wade's home town. The concert benefits the 'Meals for Kids' program which feeds needy children on week-ends with a back-pack of food which doesn't require preparation.
This year's event featured the new 'Cowboy Spirit Award' and first to receive the award was T. J. Brown, a retired top bronc rider, residing in Natural Dam, AR.
The annual award honors cowboys from teenagers to a senior cowboy in their twilight years who lived their life keeping the cowboy spirit alive. As a child, Royal Wade idolized T. J. Brown, kids naturally admire cowboys, and this event is to help kids, not only in health and foods, but provide them the opportunity to see cowboys exhibit their true 'cowboy spirit'.
This was the 3rd Annual Mount Royal Trail Ride and Concert put on by Royal Wade Kimes and it's grown beyond imagination. When Royal Wade was asked about the event he said, "it's just getting started! When riding the high country anything can happen, who would have believed a town like Chester with population of 99 could fill up a fifty acre ranch with an event! Riding high. . . I reckon!"
