July 17, 2008 06:48 pm
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By Dustin Shipman
dshipman@joplinglobe.com
The 23rd annual MDA Ride for Life is joining forces with the fourth annual Buffalo Bike Run to create one of the largest motorcycle events in the area.
The two-day event will kick off with registration starting at 8 a.m. today at both Cycle Connection, 5014 Hearnes Blvd. in Joplin, and Buffalo Run Casino, 1000 Buffalo Run Blvd. in Miami, Okla.
Activities will include a golf tournament to begin at 8:15 a.m. today at Peoria Ridge Golf Course. The tournament hosts will be Brian Bosworth, former linebacker from the University of Oklahoma and Seattle Seahawks, and Gary Reasons, a former linebacker from the New York Giants.
Several events will be held starting at 4 p.m. at Buffalo Run Casino, including the Battle of the Bikes motorcycle show, a stunt team, a motocross jump team and live music.
Saturday’s events will begin with the MDA Parade of Heroes at 8 a.m. The ride will begin at Cycle Connection, wind throughout Joplin and head into Oklahoma before eventually ending at Buffalo Run Casino.
There will be an awards presentation at 5 p.m., which will include the announcement of how much money was raised during the event.
“The Buffalo Bike Run is the world’s richest bike run, which means they will be giving away over $100,000 worth of prizes. So if you register, not only are you benefiting MDA but you will also be eligible for a nice prize,” said Nancy Hutson, one of the coordinators for the event and co-owner of Cycle Connection. “They are two separate events but we have joined forces all in the hopes to raise money for MDA.”
Registration for the event starts at $58 per person. Other registration packages are also available and include several extras. The money raised during the event will be donated to the MDA.
“It is going to cause some possible traffic delays and things like that, but it also gives people the opportunity to come out and watch the parade even if they are not taking part in it,” Hutson said. “The entire event will see between 2,000 to 2,500 motorcyclists, maybe even as many as 3,000.”
The 2007 event raised nearly $100,000. With the combination of the two events, Hutson said they are hoping to raise even more money for MDA.
There will be a concert by Ted Nugent at 9 p.m. Saturday at the casino. Tickets are $25 for those registered for the ride, or $35 for just the concert.
For more information, call Cycle Connection, 623-1054, or Buffalo Run Casino, (918) 542-7140.
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