PROCTORVILLE — It could have been a scene out of an old Western movie — a caravan of wagons, horses and mules trekking across the land. But, Saturday, the wagon train was creeping along the roads of eastern Lawrence County in honor of a modern-day cowboy, mule and horse enthusiast Johnny Waller.

The 36-mile Johnny Waller Memorial Wagon Train included six wagons and more than 70 horses. It was “Wagons Ho!” shortly after 10 a.m. and the group made its slow procession down State Route 7 and some back roads in Proctorville and South Point.

The wagon train started 18 years ago at its current home at the fairgrounds, but had moved to Lake Vesuvius the past several years. This year, the wagon train came back to the fairgrounds after its brief hiatus and had special meaning to those who knew the event’s namesake. Waller was an active member of local and state horseman’s associations and traveled around the country with his beloved mule, Sam, who had rode in the countywide wagon train since its conception, beginning as a baby tied to his mother and pulling a wagon. Saturday, the mule that had accompanied Waller on most of his treks in the West, led the procession, trotting rider less draped in back.

Waller’s wife, Mary, said the event was a great way to honor her late husband, who died last year from liver cancer. But, she said, he would not have wanted such a fuss made over him. He was a fun-loving, quiet guy who was always quick with a joke, she said, but he was modest and never wanted much attention.

In addition to honoring one of their own, Mary Waller said the event keeps the horseman heritage alive. It revives the spirit of the Old West, she said. Many of those who participated in the wagon train agreed, including one of its founders, Ray Howard.

“Someday we’re going to be gone and this is a way to pass this on to others,” Howard said. “We just want the tradition to continue.”

Dianne Rutherford, an equine studies student at Ohio University Southern, said horsemen are a “different kind of people” that many times feel most comfortable with people who share their love.

“It’s just good to get everyone together and share the love of horses and mules,” she said. “People who have never been around them really can’t understand.”

Wayne Huffman and his son, Tommy, came to the wagon train as part of the Appalachian Horse Club, which was well represented at the event. The Glenwood, W.Va., residents said they travel around the region just to be a part of the horseman fellowship.

“It’s fun. I love to ride horses and I like to come here and see all the different kinds of horses,” 14-year-old Tommy Huffman said. “It’s a good way to meet new people, too.”

Activities began Friday night with a beans and cornbread dinner and camping at the fairgrounds, continued Saturday with the wagon train and will continue today with the final leg of the journey down U.S. 52 through Coal Grove, Ironton and Hanging Rock before ending at the Blankenship’ QH Farm in the afternoon.