History, nature and cherry pie lovers will converge in Brady Township in February for the annual George Washington and Cherry Pie Hike.

Over 250 years ago George Washington trekked through Butler County on a mission to secure the Ohio territory from the French, nearly losing his life on the trail and establishing himself as an important figure in American history.

Now, an annual event commemorating the founding father’s trip will commence Feb. 24 at the Jennings Environmental Education Center in Brady Township. Attendees can retrace the steps where local historical groups say the first president may have walked.

The event also features nature walks and a deluge of cherry pies.

“We got the planning in good stead. Now we’re just hoping for bad weather,” said Rodney Gasch, president of Historic Harmony and a volunteer with Washington’s Trail 1753. “It wouldn’t be a good hike if we couldn’t experience what Washington and his guide, Christopher Gist, experienced.”

Washington, then a 21-year-old major in the Virginia militia, was sent to the Lake Erie area with a letter requesting that the French end their occupation of the region. In October 1753 he left Virginia.

On the way he accrued intelligence on French forts and movements and built alliances with Native American tribes. He also delivered the request, which was denied.

His mission accomplished, Washington began the arduous journey home to Virginia, overcoming life threatening obstacles from freezing rivers to nearly being shot by a Native American loyal to the French.

Throughout the trek Washington wrote about his expedition in a journal, which achieved fame and notoriety throughout the colonies after it was published.

The event next month will feature historical hikes, artifacts and reenactments by actors in period garb.

“It’s George Washington’s 286 birthday. The Butler chapter of the North Country Trail Association has been doing the cherry pie hike for over 25 years,” Gasch said. “We did the first history hike in 2003. We kind of combined the two events, and that has worked out well.”

That year blue-and-white Washington’s Trail markers were erected commemorating the journey and designating the paths where historians believe Washington may have walked.

Gasch also stressed the importance of dressing for the weather and remembering proper footwear.

Attendees must register on the state park website by Feb. 22. To register, visit events.dcnr.pa.gov and search “Cherry Pie.”