Freedom First Riders plan bike show fundraiser

Freedom First Riders will hold its 5th annual bike show and fundraiser on Saturday, April 14 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Runestone Community Center and Douglas County Fairgrounds in Alexandria.

The event will include food, full bar, trophies, vendors, live and silent auctions, bike dealers, and demo rides.

A “SMARTrainer” will also be set up for anyone at the show to try at no cost. The simulator combines a personal computer, safety-training program and video monitor, plus a handlebar, seat, footrests and the standard controls found on a real motorcycle.

Riders experience and respond to a variety of on-screen scenarios as they travel along virtual streets and highways.

Admission to the event is $6 for adults; free for children 12 and younger. Bike entry is $20 for the first bike, $10 for each additional bike (includes free admission). Bike registration is from 7 to 10 a.m.

Bike classes include stock, vintage, metric, custom, rad/rat, trike, sport bike, best paint and best of show. To preregister show bikes, visit the website www.freedomfirstridersabatemn.org.

Door prizes to be given away at the event include the following Sturgis camping passes:

1st – One pair of 12-day passes to Iron Horse Campground.

2nd – One pair of 12-day passes to Iron Horse Campground.

3rd – One pair of 6-day passes to Creekside Campground.

4th – One pair of 6-day passes to Lamphere Campground.

5th – One pair of 3-day passes to Tillfred Gulch Campground.

ABOUT FREEDOM

FIRST RIDERS

Freedom First Riders is the 26th chapter in the state of Minnesota. The chapter was founded more than five years ago and currently has about 300 members. The group is governed by an 11-member board and holds monthly meetings and sponsors one bike show fundraiser each year.

Half of the money raised at that event stays with the local chapter for operating expenses and for donations to worthy causes and the other half goes to the state American Bikers for Awareness, Training and Education (ABATE) to help lobbying costs at the state capital to lobby for bikers’ rights, freedoms and safety issues. The money is also used to help put on motorcycle training programs for kids or adults.

To learn more about the local chapter, visit the website www.freedomfirstridersabatemn.org.

ABOUT ABATE

Freedom First Riders are part of ABATE of Minnesota – a not-for-profit, grass roots organization committed to educating motorcyclists and the general public about motorcycling. ABATE offers everyone – from the street rider, to the off-road fan, to a non-rider with a strong interest in motorcycling – an opportunity to unite and become part of a strong motorcycle organization. Visit the ABATE website for more information, www.abatemn.org.

SUPPORTED CAUSES

Some of the causes the Freedom First Riders support include:

• Someplace Safe of Alexandria.

• Wounded Warriors Foundation.

• Kruzin’ for Kids – Make-A-Wish program, Wadena area chapter.

• Camp Heartland of Willow River, Minnesota for kids with HIV.

• ABATE. Buddy Bear program – stuffed animals given to local first responder units and fire departments.

• Dough 4 Joe.

• Habitat for Humanity.

• Pete’s County Market fundraiser for United Way.

• Leaf Valley Sportsmen.

• ABATE Washout Program. Chapter chooses a high traffic area where people stop. Members wash car windshields and lights and talk to drivers about watching for motorcycles on the road and safe driving tips. The local chapter does this at Jim and Judy’s.

• Adopt-A-Highway program.

• Multiple Sclerosis Society.

• Motorcycle Riders Foundation.

• Motorcycle PAC of Minnesota (political action committee).

• ABATE Dial A Ride program. A chapter member can bring an Abate-owned trailer to pick up a bike and biker who has had too much to drink and drive them home for free (www.motorcycledialaride.org; 1-888-342-5743).

Tags: freedom first riders, bike show, variety, motorcycle, abate, fundraiser, events