By Jordan Puckett
Sun staff

UC Clermont College will hold its Hilltop Hike for Scholarships this year at the college campus Sept. 14. The hike will raise money for the UC Clermont College Scholarship Fund.

“The hike helps us provide scholarships to our students,” Director of Development Dana Parker said. “Last year we gave out over 300 scholarships.”

Parker said about 30 of the scholarships were sponsored by individual families or businesses. The rest are funded by events such as the Hilltop Hike.

This is the sixth year for the fundraising event. The first five years consisted of a 5k race at various locations. This year some changes have been made, resulting in the first Hilltop Hike for Scholarships. The event will be held at the UC Clermont campus at 4200 Clermont College Drive in Batavia.

“We really wanted to get the community involved this year,” Parker said. “We want to bring in families and local businesses.”

In addition to a 2.5 mile hike, the event will include a classic car show, music by DJ Dave, raffles, and a community picnic.

Throughout the hike, walkers will come across booths set up by local businesses and organizations. Hikers will have the opportunity to learn more about these local businesses as they go through the trail.

Walkers also have the opportunity to form teams. Prizes will be awarded to the team with the most members, most spirit, and most creativity. There is also an option to register to sleep in. Those who choose to sleep in can pay $10 to register and still count as a team member without being present for the hike.

“We decided to do teams in order to promote the event because it is new,” Parker said. “We’re trying to get as many people and businesses involved as we can.”

Parker said the goal is to raise $10,000 from the event.

The walk will begin at 11 a.m. and is expected to be finished around 2 p.m. The car show will last from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 75 to 100 cars are expected to be in the classic car show. Prizes will be awarded for various categories.

The cost to participate in the Hilltop Hike is $15 for college students, $20 for non-college students, $40 for families, or $10 for sleep in registration. The cost to enter the car show is $10.

For more information contact Dana Parker at (513) 558-9964 or visit www.regonline.com/hike.