Minneota Memorial Run set for Aug. 20
The sights and sounds of the 21st annual Minneota Memorial Run are soon upon us.
The event, which drew 180 registered bikers last year from the area and beyond, will be held on Saturday, Aug. 20. Registration will be from 10:30 a.m. to noon behind City Hall Bar & Grill in Minneota.
The Memorial Run, which is designed to promote road and motorcycle safety, includes a 125-mile run beginning at noon that will make stops in Minneota, Wabasso, Lamberton, Tracy, Russell and back to Minneota.
The Memorial Run was established in 2002 by friends and family member who lost loved one in road accidents in the southwest Minnesota area and want to keep their memories alive.
The event is for motorcycles and all other vehicles that share the road. The top priority is to promote safety awareness and donate proceeds to local charities that will benefit others.
Proceeds for the event benefit the National Alliance on Mental Illness Minnesota (NAMI MN) and the Buffalo Ridge Chapter of ABATE. According to a press release, the intentions of the Memorial Run committee are to target NAMI MN funds to be to be provided to communities with local volunteer First Responders to be trained in suicide prevention. NAMI MN personnel will be at the Memorial Run site during registration and the program to share all of their resources on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.
After the motorcycles make their 125-mile trek, they return to the lot behind City Hall Bar & Grill to socialize during a meal.
The meal from City Hall Bar & Grill will be served from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and will consist of a brat bar with beans and chips, which is included in the registration. The public is invited to attend and can also purchase a meal. The memorial program will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by cash prizes.
A "burnout" will then be held to the delight of those in attendance with several bikers competing to see who can generate the most smoke off their tires. Josh "Rooster" Kotzer of Benson won the contest last year.
T-shirts will be available for sale during the Memorial Run, or they can be purchased at Brad's Market until Aug. 18.
A memorial plaque dedicated to the names of those who lost their lives in area road accidents inscribed on it can be viewed at the Minneota Community Center at the south end of the City Office building. It will also be on hand during registration. Anyone who lost a loved one and would like to have their named inscribed on the plaque, or would like more information on the Memorial Run, should contact Eriann Faris at 507-530-3573.