Brownfield had some unique visitors come through town

by Eric

On Thursday evening around 8:15 p.m., a unique group of people converged on the City of Brownfield traveling to Roswell NM to take a picture with an alien. The group that came through town, and some stopped to refuel, is from the Buffalo Gap Texas (Abilene area) called the Buffalo Run Adventure Challenge. This event is a “wacky road rally” involving over 25 vehicles who will run to the Four Corners and back again. The main purpose of the challenge is a fundraiser for a special needs camp in Buffalo Gap.

Along the way, they will complete a number of insanely funny activities. The first to return to Buffalo Gap will be declared the 2022 Buffalo Run Champion. Team participants have been working hard for months to ready their vehicles which can not cost more than $500 and fix them up and dress them out to look quite strange and unique. Each team is to get different businesses and organizations to sponsor their vehicles. During their travel to Four Corners, each team must perform and document certain challenges. Here is a list of the team challenges:

  • Recreate the TikTok Jiggle Jiggle Craze (must be videoed)
  • Perform a funeral and burial for roadkill. The team must also sing a song or hymn of their choosing to honor the departed (must be videoed)
  • Take a photo reenacting the “Cowboy Ruckus” art installation at its roadside location. One or both cowboys must be visible in the photo or video.
  • Tag (spray paint) one of the Cadillacs at the famous Cadillac Ranch and post the picture.
  • Take a picture with an alien in Roswell NM.
  • Take a picture at the 6666 Ranch Supply House.
  • Take a picture at the Midpoint of Route 66 in Adrian TX.
  • Community Beautification Project: Clean a public restroom. Must video/post before and after pictures. Teams may not clean a bathroom that has been previously cleaned by another team.
  • Collect a donation for Camp Able from out of state.
  • Take a video/photo at the Four Corners National Monument in which all members of the team are touching all four states simultaneously.

The special needs camp this group is fundraising for is called Camp Able of Buffalo Gap. Camp Able is a nonprofit organization that provides equine therapy to people with special needs and is a sanctuary for unwanted or neglected horses. People with special needs experience broad improvements that lead to greater confidence and self-sufficiency, while the horses find rehabilitation, care, training, and a home. Camp Able’s main facility is located 10 miles outside Abilene at the foot of a limestone mesa that forms one side of “the gap” that is known as Buffalo Gap. According to Camp Able, they have been experiencing ongoing growth in demand for its programs and services. With that Camp Able recently purchased 83 acres of farmland four miles from its current facility. On this new property, Camp Able plans to build additional grazing pastures which are phase 1, and a covered riding arena which will be phase 2.

Eddie Nicholson said, “Brownfield needs to do something like this… maybe one of our organizations.” His nephew Stace Nicholson who belongs to the Bucket Head Team told TownTalk, “This event is a lot of fun and the most important part of it is raising the funds for Camp Able which is a great cause.” Teams left at 6 pm on Thursday, June 2, 2022, from the Old Settlers’ Reunion Grounds in Buffalo Gap. On Saturday, June 4, 2022, there will be a Street Dance to welcome all the participants home, with live music starting at 2 pm, as well as food trucks, bounce houses, and awards. Last year, which took 17 drivers to the Grand Canyon and back, the Buffalo Run Adventure challenge raised $105,000 for Camp Able.

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