Forsyth County Parks and Recreation Department and Abba House have partnered to host The Sawnee Mountain 5k Trail Run, which takes place on March 15, 2008. The trail race begins at 8:00am and the one mile family fun run will begin following the completion of the 5k. All participants will receive a race t-shirt. The top three runners receive a trophy.

Registration fee is $20. Register online at www.active.com or by phone: 678-208-2000. All funds will help build the new Abba House Women and Children’s Center. 

The Parks and Recreation Department will also sponsor a day of family fun and recreation. Following the race, at 10:00 a.m. the Grand Opening Ceremony for the Sawnee Mountain Preserve Visitor Center will begin. Immediately following the ceremony, there will be free tree climbing with kids at least eight years of age doing rope assisted tree climbing up to 60 feet high in the trees. Refreshments will be available after the opening ceremony.

The Gypsy Theatre will perform Festival of Cups, a Mythical Tale, at the Amphitheater on Tribble Gap Road at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.  A birds of prey program by Save Our American Raptors (SOAR) will begin at the Visitor Center at 12 noon.

Here is the schedule in a nutshell:

8:00 a.m. --  Abba House Run for Recovery - Sawnee Mountain 5K Trail Run – Competitive Timed Race
9:00 a.m. -- Abba House Family One Mile Fun Walk Run
10:00 a.m. -- Opening ceremony Sawnee Mountain Preserve visitor center
10:00 a.m. – Free tree climbing
11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. – performance by Gypsy Theatre, Festival of the Cups, a mythical tale at the amphitheater
12:00 Noon - Visitor center –Birds of Prey program - Save Our American Raptors-South