Fans of Red River Gorge now have a new way of giving back to those who help keep hikers safe.
Kentucky’s first license plate featuring the Red River Gorge will be available to order beginning October 18.
Proceeds Help Save Lives
A portion of all sales and renewals of the plate will go to the Wolfe County Search & Rescue Team (WCSART), an all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization that is sponsoring the plate.
The team specializes in rescues of lost or injured hikers in Wolfe County and the greater Red River Gorge and assists the Kentucky State Police and Kentucky National Guard with large-scale rescues.
“We are so excited to see the license plate go on sale because it promotes an area Kentuckians and many others love, and the proceeds will support our mission to save lives,” said John May, Chief of WCSART. “This has been a dream for years to pay for life-saving equipment and medical supplies.”
During the historic flooding in Eastern Kentucky two years ago, WCSART volunteers rescued more than 100 people of all ages from disaster.
In July, the team led the rescue of a Gorge hiker who had been missing 14 days, including 12 days without food or water.
“As we like to say, our team goes where others can’t and saves lives,” said May.
The artwork for the Red River Gorge plate was produced by WCSART team member Kevin Osbourn.
His painting for the plate, called “Red River Gorge: Archway to Heaven,” hung in the state Capitol rotunda during the 2024 Kentucky Derby Festival.
Where To Buy
The cost to buy or renew the Gorge plate is $44.
Costs typically vary because the initial fee for specialty license plates depends on the buyer’s birth month when the plate would be renewed.
For each sale or renewal, $10 will go to WCSART, and the rest would go to the local county clerk office and the state.
Specialty plates can also be personalized for an additional fee of $25 (limited to six characters plus one space or one dash).
Kentuckians can apply for a personalized version at https://tinyurl.com/KYSpecialPlates.
Any owner of a noncommercial motor vehicle used on Kentucky highways is eligible to buy the plate at their local county clerk’s office.
Upon receipt of the specialty plate, your regular-issue plate must be turned in to the local county clerk. The plate would expire during the customer’s birth month.
“Until now, we have relied on grants and donations for funding,” said May. “Sales of the new plate will help us purchase needed equipment, including medical supplies, ropes, packs, helmets, radios, uniforms and other rescue gear.”
To order a Red River Gorge plate, visit your local county clerk.
For information about the Wolfe County Search & Rescue Team, visit wcsart.com.
For more from Kentucky Business, visit kybusinessnews.com.
