Ultimate Bike Show benefits Special Olympics
May 23, 2012 4:18PM
Updated: July 3, 2012 8:42AM
It is the ultimate! ABATE of Indiana/Porter County will be hold its 22nd Ultimate Bike Show June 16 at Sunset Hill Farm County Park (corner of U.S. 6 and Meridian in Valparaiso) with every make and model of motorcycle, small and large, simple and elaborate, for you to drool over.
The day begins at 9 a.m. and includes a bike blessing at 11:15, and then the roar of the motors as bikers leave for a 70-mile ride escorted by a Porter County law enforcement officer.
And if you aren’t on one of the motorcycles, there will be plenty to do while they are racing around the county.
The bike show begins at 1 p.m., with 10 different categories. The cost to enter the contest is $2.
Twenty-two trophies will be awarded to the lucky winners.
Admission for the day is $10, including music from 2 p.m. to closing by the band Overdue, which is donating its time. Food, a beer garden and other vendors will be available.
There is also a cash raffle, with first place receiving half of the donations and second place winning $100.
The best part of the day is that Porter County Special Olympics will be the recipients of the proceeds! And, believe me, we have lots of athletes that love seeing all those motorcycles.
Many people still have the incorrect opinion that all motorcycle owners are wild and crazy, and that is so not true. There are doctors and lawyers and professional people in all walks of life who enjoy the feel of the wind and sun on themselves while they are driving.
And groups like ABATE are so community minded, giving of their time and talents to help others in many ways. For example, this group raises money for the burn camp for children each year, contributes to the Brain Tumor Foundation, participates in the Riley Hospital for Children’s Miracle Ride, and makes sure any families in need at Christmas time are taken care of.
In talking to members Bob Fry and Don Lusco, I also learned that they take such pride in our county, they even do highway cleanup. This is a group that cares about their community.
I asked Bob if there was any test that motorcycle owners have to take before they can be licensed. The answer was “yes,” and ABATE members do all the required course work and testing for motorcyclists, as well as safety courses, for the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Bikers must pass the tests before they will be issued a license to ride.
For more information, please call Bob Fry at 405-9732, or Don Lococo at 628-2806.
A sincere thank you to both of you and all your members for donating this year’s proceeds to our Special Olympics athletes. You are my pet persons of the week.
Please remember, as we celebrate Memorial Day, to take a few minutes to say a prayer for all our troops then and now, and especially for the families who have lost loved ones to the ugliness of war.
Then, I hope you have a great day because you deserve it. Thanks for reading. Fly your flag.
