The Appalachian Wagon Train is coming to northern Butler County.

The group, which was founded in 1970 and is based in Westmoreland County, will be in the area from Saturday to June 22. It hosts a wagon train trek every year.

“We’ve always started on Father’s Day weekend,” said group member Deb Anspach of Harrisville.

The train will be about a mile and half long, and will travel at about 3 mph.

Wagons will begin to arrive at the Dean Kind Farm on Miller Road in Plain Grove Township, Lawrence County on Saturday, and they visit the farm on Sunday.

The train will loop through Slippery Rock on Monday, which will include riding on South Main Street and Route 173. It will break for lunch at about 11:30 a.m. at Slippery Rock Park and will return to the Kind Farm at about 6 p.m. That evening, there will be contests for people in the group and a performance by musician Isaac Cole.

“Anyone is welcome to come to the campsite,” Anspach said.

After the day’s ride, the public is welcome to the campsites to see the wagons and participate in activities.

On Tuesday, the train will travel south the Moraine State Park and camp at Lakeview Beach on the park’s North Shore. Funnel cake will be served that evening.

On Wednesday, the train will travel to McConnells Mill State Park. A country music praise group will perform that evening.

The train heads through the eastern part of Moraine on Thursday and travels through West Liberty and Brady Township. At the campsite that evening, there will be games for children followed by an ice cream social.

Friday, the train will travel to Redfoot Farms, just south of Harrisville, and make that its new camp. A talent show and karaoke will be held.

The train heads through Pine Township, Mercer County, and Harrisville on Saturday. It will disband Sunday following a worship service and brunch.

The course is 105 miles total with the train traveling about 15 to 20 miles per day.

So far, 20 wagons have signed up to participate, in addition to 50 horseback riders.

Every group member provides their own horse and wagon, as well as vehicles to transport them.

They also are responsible for caring for their horses during the trek.

Each campsite has to have at least 12 to 15 acres, so there is enough room for the wagons, horses and transport vehicles.

The horses will go through 2,000 gallons of water per day. Anspach said volunteer fire departments will provide water for the horses.

The state Department of Transportation will be placing electronic message boards along state roads that the train will travel on to alert drivers. Anspach also said state and local police, municipalities and the tourism bureaus for Butler, Lawrence and Mercer counties are supporting the program.

Anspach has been involved with the group for about five years. Two years ago, she suggested that it make a trip to Butler County. The membership agreed, and the group began planning.

She said people who participate find the trek relaxing.

“It’s a step back in time,” Anspach said. “We have a lot of fun together.”

The group traveled around Brookville last year, and the trek will take place in Indiana County next year.

For more information, visit www.muleshoepa.com/AWT/AWT.HTM.