Sarah Weeks’ enthusiastic smile is not hidden under her immense cowboy hat as the white flowing mane of her copper colored horse leads the Friends to Freedom Wagon Train through Perquimans County.

At least 100 people are participating in the commemoration of the “exodus of the Quaker community in the 1800s” from Perquimans County now through Saturday, said Weeks, wagon master and event organizer.

Weeks began planning the event more than a year ago in coordination with the Perquimans County Restoration Association. After organizing successful saddle trail rides in Murfreesboro, the former heritage development officer envisioned a similar event in Perquimans County where people could gather to enjoy a ride along the splendid landscapes of the countryside.

Weeks said she promoted the event through equine mailing lists and blogs to garner support.

Bluegrass and gospel singers are providing entertainment as the Wagon Train sets up camp in Belvidere tonight. Whether roughing it under the stars or choosing to sleep in comfortably furnished horse trailers, participants are sure to have fun recounting the day’s happenings with fellow riders by the flickering light of the campfire.

“It is a casual, fun family atmosphere.”

Saturday afternoon the public will line the streets of downtown Hertford to catch a glimpse of the parade of horse drawn wagons led by Weeks’ “stocky and compact” Haflinger horse Danny Boy.

Perhaps the best part of the day for the wagon master will be when Weeks’ mother, Mary, accompanies her daughter in the wagon across the S-bridge to the county where she grew up. Weeks said she wished that her husband, Scott, was also able to ride with her, but he is currently serving as a contractor in Afghanistan.

The technical illustrator and Savannah College of Art and Design graduate used her artistic skills to build the box for her own wagon. In her leisure time, the Weeksville native relishes riding her horses and producing chain saw art that includes a wooden carving of a horse’s head.

A schedule of the Friends to Freedom Wagon Train activities is located at http://perquimansrestoration.org/Wagon_.php.