The sound of revving engines will fill the air Saturday as the Flin Flon Motorcyclists Association (FFMA) hosts its annual Run to the Border event.
Now in its 24th year, the event includes a poker run, toy run, and parade of bikes during the day and a social and motorcycle draw in the evening.
Robyn Garrett, FFMA secretary, said the event has always been focused on giving back to the community.
“It’s so people aren’t scared of all the bikers, so they can see that they are actually really good people.”
A highlight of the event for many is the annual motorcycle draw, and this year a 2016 FLSTC Harley Davidson Heritage Softtail Classic is up for grabs, a bike worth more than $24,000.
The FFMA will donate proceeds from the draw to the Children’s Wish Foundation and Port in the Storm, a facility that provides affordable accommodations for families of patients undergoing medical treatments in Winnipeg.
“Everyone who purchases a ticket helps,” said Garrett, adding that the Children’s Wish Foundation earmarks the FFMA donations for northern wishes, and past fundraising efforts have allowed a number of local kids with serious illnesses to enjoy a special wish experience. Likewise, several FFMA members and their families have accessed Port in the Storm when travelling for medical care, she said.
After the 2015 social, FFMA donated close to $9,000 to each organization.
Before and during the parade of bikes, new, unwrapped toys are collected via a toy run held at the Gateway and along the parade route. The toys are donated to the Flin Flon Aboriginal Friendship Centre’s Christmas gift program.
The poker run also generates a small pot for donations; organizers decide on a recipient after the event, Garrett said.
While local motorcyclists will surely polish off their bikes this weekend, many of the bikers in town will be visitors. In past years, travellers have come from as far away as British Columbia, kicking off the motorcycle season with a trek to northern Manitoba.
“Guys have driven up in snow before,” Garrett said.
While good times and giving back to the community are central goals for Run to the Border, the event also has a secondary benefit: reminding motorists that bikers share the road.
For that reason, Run to the Border takes place in May, which is motorcycle awareness month—not coincidentally, the month when more bikes start to appear on roads and highways in Canada.
Garrett said the focus of motorcycle awareness month is safety, for motorists and bikers alike.
