The Land Conservancy of Adams County held its 17th annual Fall Classic Road 
Rally on Oct. 17, raising a record $26,700 in support of its mission to preserve the rural lands and character of Adams County. Fifty-five driver-navigator teams and a trolley-full of participants took part in the event.
The 2015 Rally theme was “The Year of the Pennsylvania Barn,” in recognition of the fact that this year has been designated “The Year of the Pennsylvania Barn” by the Pennsylvania legislature. Rally teams set off from the Hanover Shoe Farms outside Hanover, and stops included the Fairwinds Equestrian Center and Quail Valley Golf Course outside Littlestown, Battlefield Brew Works in Gettysburg, and Hickory Bridge Farm and the Adams County Winery in Orrtanna. Each stop featured a visit to a restored and often repurposed example of the beautiful vernacular style of barn architecture known as the Pennsylvania Barn.
A mix of friendly competition and a beautiful drive in the country, the Land Conservancy Road Rally led teams through numbered route instructions as they looked for clues to Adams County’s fascinating and lesser-known sights. Participants were judged on their ability to follow directions, solve clues, and arrive at the Finish Line party with the most correct answers.
This year’s Finish Line Party was held at the Adams County Winery, where prizes were presented by Land Conservancy board member Mark Purdy and long-time Land Conservancy member Ruthmary McIlhenny.
The winners of the 2015 Grand Champion prize were driver Bruce Neylon and navigator Jeanne Neylon, sponsored by Kuhn Orchards, who were awarded the traveling Adams County National Bank Conservancy Cup adorned with the coveted “fuzzy dice,” as well as a gift certificate from Wyndham Gettysburg valued at $250.
The Road Rally is one of two major fundraisers held each year by the Land Conservancy. The other is its annual Art Auction, held in April.
The Land Conservancy of Adams County is a fully accredited nonprofit land trust dedicated to preserving the rural lands and character of Adams County. It works with interested landowners to develop conservation easements that protect the county’s open spaces, farmlands, forests, and water resources. For more information about the Land Conservancy, call (717) 334-2828, email lcac@adamscounty.us, or visit www.LCACnet.org.
