By Johnna Pinholster
VALDOSTA — The rumble of engines could be heard long before the first motorcycle pulled into the Five Points Shopping Center on Saturday.
Motorcycle enthusiasts from across South Georgia, North Florida and elsewhere converged on Lake Park Saturday morning to take part in the 17th Annual Outback Riders Toy Ride.
Though Outback Rider Jimmy Land didn’t think this year’s turnout would beat last year’s number of 1,600, he figured the event would draw at least 1,000 riders out into the chilly weather.
At the end of the day more than 2,000 riders lined up in Lake Park to make the journey to Five Points.
Seventeen years ago the Outback Riders realized the area did not have a toy ride the third Saturday in December. The first year the ride only had 50 or 60 bikes and has steadily grown as media involvement and word of mouth have spread information about the event, Land said.
He credits the recent surge in popularity of motorcycles for the larger crowds in recent years as well.
The toys, which made the journey along with the riders to Five Points, are given to the Salvation Army to distribute.
“A lot of kids wouldn’t have stuff if people didn’t come out,” he said.
Registration to participate in the ride was one unwrapped toy.
Any money that was donated will be given to the Empty Stocking Fund, Don Brotherton said.
“We’re helping the community, making sure all the kids have toys, especially during the economic situation we are in now,” Brotherton said.
Some of the riders may have experienced a Christmas without gifts and don’t want that experience passed on, Jeremy Carden said.
At the end of the ride, participants had a chance to win door prizes, take part in a 50/50 drawing or win a motorcycle.
