The Fourteenth Annual Motorcycle Run and Campout to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association will be held Aug. 31 – Sept. 2 at the Chautauqua County Firemen’s Fraternity, Inc. Campgrounds in Stockton. This event is open to the public. You do not have to ride a motorcycle to enjoy the music, barbecue and help raise funds to find a cure for muscular dystrophy. This year’s event is sponsored by Dunkirk Moniuszko Social Club, Inc. and Red Knights Int’l Firefighters M.C. Inc. NY9.

This event will be in honor of Erik Robbins and Brian Robbins, who have been the Good Will Ambassadors for this event and suffer from this crippling and terminal disease.

This event will be in memory of the following individuals:

Albert Elliott, step-father of Erik and Brian Robbins, who passed away on Oct. 29, 2015;

Jane Jusko Eagan, grandmother of Erik and Brian Robbins, who passed away on March 30, 2005;

Joan Burns who passed away on Jan. 22, 2008, at the age of 36 from Muscular Dystrophy and was an advocate for the handicapped and spearheaded the effort to make all public buildings in Dunkirk handicapped accessible;

Several supporters of MDA and our event who left us way too early: John Mt. Pleasant (July 18, 2009); Joe Lascola, Jr. (May 3, 2011); Charmaine (Komada) Christopher (Oct. 18, 2015); Chuck Pacos (March 23, 2016); Billy Hall (Jan. 1, 2017); James J. Sell (Jan. 18, 2017), Frank Jusko, Sr. (May 5, 2017) and Donald S. Hall (Sept. 2, 2017).

This year’s event will begin on Aug. 31 with live music by The New Direction Band from Crawford County, Pennsylvania from 6-10 p.m. They have performed for this event the last couple years and never fail to get everyone in a party mood playing Modern Country, Classic Rock and oldies. Jim Walker of Big Jim’s BBQ will be on-site all weekend serving up food. The silent auction will be set up and raffles held all night long. Donations are being accepted for the auction at this time and through Aug. 31.

The Benefit Run will be on Saturday, Sept. 1. Registration runs from 10 to 11:30 a.m. with kickstands up at noon. Big Guns, M.C. are planning the run route again this year. The first stop will be hosted by Nickel Plate Depot in Brocton with planned stops in Mayville, Findley Lake and Kennedy. Registration is $20 per person. The first 50 registered bikes (driver and passenger) will receive a 14th Annual commemorative T-shirt designed by Creative Screen Printing and a 2018 Harley Davidson MDA Pin. The registration also includes chicken barbecue dinner and refreshments after the run.

A bus will be available for individuals wanting to go on the run who don’t ride motorcycles. The cost is $20, which includes chicken barbecue (same as motorcycles). Thank you Bonnie Rowicki and First Student for helping put this together.

Saturday, Sept. 1, the chicken barbecue will be prepared by Dan Skubis, who is returning with his grill crew and will be served starting at 5 p.m. until gone. The cost for the Chicken barbecue is $10, which includes side dishes of roasted potatoes, corn, green beans, and bread (with refreshments, the cost is $20).

On Saturday, Sept. 1 from 6-10 p.m., The New Direction Band from Crawford County will return for another night playing modern country, classic rock and oldies. The silent auction, 50/50 raffles, and big board raffle will continue throughout the evening.

On Sunday, Sept. 2, the Red Knights Int’l Firefighters M.C. Inc.NY9 are planning a Motorcycle Rodeo which will cost $5 per event.

All proceeds raised will go to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Over the past 13 years, the event has raised $76,125 for MDA. Come out and enjoy a weekend of great music, friends, food, and camaraderie all for a great cause. For more information, contact Edziu Wallace at 410-0627 or Tina Wallace at 410-0845.

For camping information, call Chautauqua Co. Fireman’s Fraternity, Inc. Campgrounds at 595-3776 (mention this event).