Many riders from across the State and beyond will enjoy the Hill Country in a whole new way - astride a motorcycle - at the 13th annual "Hill Country Run" motorcycle rally, which is headed back to Luckenbach May 1, 2 and 3, 2009.

Billed as "More than just a plain ole motorcycle rally," the Hill Country Run is three days filled with hearty food, live music, new friends and miles of riding through the towns and vistas of the scenic Texas Hill Country.

"We've done this for 12 years and it just keeps getting better," Russell Immel said. "It's a laid-back, safe and friendly getaway with good music, nice scenery, and interesting people from all walks of life. It's a small town event that's getting big."

Strictly speaking, the Hill Country Road Trip is not a competition, but more of a leisurely ride in the beautiful Hill Country. The Optimist Club has planned a route for Saturday's Hill Country Road Trip, with detailed directions. The distance is less than 100 miles, so the entire trip can easily be completed in several hours. Along the way, riders will pull in to designated stops, where they can drop tickets in a box. At the end of the event, tickets will be drawn from each stop, with the winners receiving prizes.

The weekend gets an early start on Thursday, April 30, at Hondo's on Main for a social and welcome. Guests are invited to an informal social gathering featuring live music at Hondo's in downtown Fredericksburg. The weekend entertainment includes Classie Ballou, Koncrete Kings, The Fabs, Kevin Deal, Jimmy Lee Jones, the TJ Klein Band and more to come.

Saturday and Sunday start with a hearty Cowboy Breakfast, included in your $45 registration fee. The hosts provide the ingredients and 30 individual cooking stations, so early-risers can fry up their favorite breakfast of eggs and bacon, laid on warm tortillas, garnished with cheese, onions, and green peppers, and washed down with gallons of fresh, hot coffee. During the day, hungry riders can satisfy their hunger with sandwiches and cold drinks.

Vendors will be on hand throughout the event, offering motorcycle-related items and souvenirs.

On Friday and Saturday, check in and registration begins at 9:00 a.m., and participants can enjoy more live music all afternoon and evening.

On Sunday, the event closes out with a final Cowboy Breakfast and Sunday morning service.

The Optimist Club encourages riders to arrive early and stay late in order to enjoy all the hospitality Luckenbach and Fredericksburg have to offer, including antique shopping, fine dining, Texas history, and ample sightseeing.

You can still register for the entire weekend at the gate starting at 9:00 a.m. Friday, May 1, for $45 per person, which includes Cowboy Breakfast (Saturday & Sunday), Road Trip, Bike Show, musical entertainment Friday & Saturday, Bike Games and vendors.

The event is a volunteer effort. Proceeds from the Hill Country Run go to fund Fredericksburg Optimist Club projects, including the T-Ball Program, Scholarship Program, Pioneer Memorial Library Reading Hour Program, Tri-Star Sports contests, Oratorical Contest, and Essay Contest.

For information, call local 830-997-8515, toll-free 1-866-TEX-FEST (839-3378), or visit www.hillcountryrun.com.