It was the late 1990s when  got my first introduction to the Sanford outdoor scene. I was mountain biking more than anything else at the time and the Triangle had yet to develop it’s extensive network of trails (legal ones, at least). Lake Crabtree, Umstead, UNC North — that was about it. Then a friend suggested we try Sanford.

“That’s a long drive for a ride,” I protested.

“It’s a half hour on U.S. 1,” came the reply. “And it’s four-lane.”

Thus began my infatuation with the Sanford area. First for mountain biking, at San-Lee Park and Governor’s Creek, later for hiking at the Triangle Land Conservancy’s White Pines Nature Preserve, and eventually for paddling on the Deep River. Sanford became even more of a draw as more and more people discovered the Triangle’s wealth of recreational resources. Sanford wasn’t a complete secret, but it was, for the most part, a less crowded escape. That’s why, when selecting rural communities statewide for the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources’ Hometown Strong Year of the Trail Weekend Trail Festivals, Sanford was a given.

Sanford is the fourth stop on the Weekend Trail Festival tour, and we — I’m helping to coordinate these events for Hometown Strong, an initiative of Gov. Cooper’s to boost rural economies — think it will open a lot of eyes to what the area has to offer.

Our Year of the Trail event is piggybacking on Sanford’s annual 3-day Strawberry Jammin’ festival, which begins Thursday, May 11, and runs through Saturday, May 13. Our Year of the Trail events are on Saturday. Here’s the lineup. For more information on each event and to register, click the link.

Saturday, May 13

9 a.m. — Beginner-friendly Paddle Trip on the Deep River, Deep River State Trail, Deep River Park, 3485 R Jordan Road, Gulf. Cape Fear Adventures leads this trip 1.5-hour trip on the Deep from the new 401 Access to Deep River Park and Camelback Bridge. This 2.1-mile run of the Deep is dubbed “Li’l Ripple,” for the ripple sections on this otherwise placid but moving stretch of river. No boat, no problem: Cape Fear Adventures will provide boat, paddle and pfd for $34 for a single kayak, $49 for a tandem. Shuttle provided for paddlers with their own boat. 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Limited to 10 paddlers. Learn more and sign up here.

10 a.m. — Nature Hike, San Lee Park, 572 Pumping Station Road, Sanford. Lifelong Sanford resident and long-time naturalist Jimmy Randolph leads a nature like around one of San-Lee Park’s two lakes in search of late-blooming spring ephemerals and assorted reptiles and birds. Meet at the Visitor Center (address above. The hike is about a mile in length. Limited to 12 hikers. Learn more and sign up here.

11 a.m. — Beginner-friendly Paddle Trip on the Deep River, Deep River State Trail, Deep River Park, 3485 R Jordan Road, Gulf. Cape Fear Adventures leads this trip 1.5-hour trip on the Deep from the new 401 Access to Deep River Park and Camelback Bridge. This 2.1-mile run of the Deep is dubbed “Li’l Ripple,” for the ripple sections on this otherwise placid but moving stretch of river. No boat, no problem: Cape Fear Adventures will provide boat, paddle and pfd for $34 for a single kayak, $49 for a tandem. Shuttle provided for paddlers with their own boat. 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Limited to 10 paddlers. Learn more and sign up here.

11 a.m. — Hike at White Pines Nature Preserve, 548 S Rocky River Rd, Sanford. This hike will utilize six trails to cover 5 miles of surprisingly diverser terrain where the Rocky and Deep rivers meet. The 285-acre preserve was the first opened to the public by the Triangle Land Conservancy and features a variety of ecosystems. Learn more and sign up here.

1 p.m. — Guided Mountain Bike Ride, San-Lee Park, 572 Pumping Station Road, Sanford. Hour and a half ride on the park’s 12-mile mountain bike trail network. Appropriate for beginner/intermediate riders. Must have your own bike, helmet required. Meet at the Visitor Center (address above). Learn more and sign up here.

2 p.m. — Nature Hike, San Lee Park, 572 Pumping Station Road, Sanford. Lifelong Sanford resident and long-time naturalist Jimmy Randolph leads a nature like around one of San-Lee Park’s two lakes in search of late-blooming spring ephemerals and assorted reptiles and birds. Meet at the Visitor Center (address above. The hike is about a mile in length. Limited to 12 hikers. Learn more and sign up here.

3 p.m. — Strider Kids Bike Race, San-Lee Park, 572 Pumping Station Road, Sanford. Introduce your Strider-riding kids to the fun and thrills of dirt-track racing in this event sponsored by Sanford’s Back to Dirt Bike Shop. Helmet requred. Meet at the Visitor Center. Learn more and sign up here.

Hope to see you Saturday, May 13, in Sanford!