September 15, 2014 at 4:47 p.m.
Bikers enjoy autumn weather, Northwoods hospitality during annual Fall Ride for MDA
Bikers enjoy autumn weather, Northwoods hospitality during annual Fall Ride for MDA
MDA is a not-for-profit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy.
This year's Fall Ride got off to a a rainy start on Thursday and Friday, but once Saturday dawned and the full complement of bikers made it into town, warm sunshine mixed with cool air to create a fall Northwoods paradise.
Not that bad weather would have stopped the parties, but the sunshine was appreciated by those in attendance.
"Man, it got just beautiful out here, didn't it?" said Sara Klingski, who was out enjoying Bubba's Big Party, a music festival held in Nokomis, Saturday.
"We got up last night and it was rainy and cold and really just kind of miserable, but bam, we woke up this morning and it's just gorgeous out. Perfect day for a ride and a party."
All of the money generated by the events at SARA Park in Tomahawk will go to support the MDA. Donation booths were set up at Bubba's Big Party for that same reason.
The party doesn't just support the MDA, however. It also helps keep maintenance of the Nokomis Community Park off the tax rolls.
"Bubba had come to the township probably about six years ago and asked if he could rent the park and the board OK'd it. What he does is rent it from the week before (the event) to the week after," Nokomis Town Supervisor Bette Stillman explained.
"What that does is it makes it so the taxpayers don't have to pay anything. It's keeps it off the levy, having things like this. It really helps. Any money that we take in from the food and drink stands run by the town goes back into the park. Then we have the donation booths set up for MDA around as well."
Nokomis is a small town with a population under 2,000 people, but when Bubba's Big Party rolls around each year the population booms. It's quite the sight to see, Stillman said.
"It's quite the deal. There are thousands, at least, each year. You come here and there are just lines and lines of bikes," she said. "It's amazing to see."
None of it would be possible without help from the town's fire department and numerous volunteers, she said.
"It's so nice. I've got so many good people helping out and making sure everything is going as planned," Stillman said. "It's really tremendous and the people that show up, they couldn't be nicer."
That feeling of hospitality is shared by those who attend the events.
"I love it up here. If I had the money, I'd buy a house up here in a second," Johnny Townsend said. "My buddies and I love going around to all the festivals and rides that we can get to, but this is the best. Hands down the best. The people up here, they're so nice. You can tell they actually want us to be here, they enjoy us being here. It's not like that at a lot of these things, but you guys - the Northwoods you call yourself, right? - you're the best."
It's not just the famous Northwoods hospitality that brings people north. The cause helps a lot, too.
"I'm not just a biker. I'm a runner, too, so I'm used to choosing my events based on what the money goes to. And as an auntie of someone with muscular dystrophy, this cause is very close to my heart," Jolene Hark said. "This thing (the Fall Ride) has a lot going for it. The people are wonderful, the food's good, the music is great and all of that. But I never forget why I'm here, and that's to help everyone affected by muscular dystrophy."
Marcus Nesemann may be reached at [email protected].
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