Bikers Remember
In October 2004, a neighboring county lost one of their finest - Deputy Brandy Winfield - in the line of duty. He stopped in the early morning hours to help what appeared to be a stranded motorist. The person was eventually caught, tried, and convicted of the crime. In the meantime, his friends have organized a memorial poker run honoring his memory. The event grows in size each year. The organizers have estimated over 500 bikes in this years' event.
One of the stops included in this year's run was Thiel's Wheels - a local motorcycle dealership - in Upper Sandusky, not far from my home. The event organizes in Marion, Ohio, at the Knights of Columbus Hall on E. Center Street. There the participants sign in and pay their registration fee.
Our local fire department displayed the motorcycle to be raffled at the convention June 20 & 21 in Upper Sandusky. The guys were there hoping to sell tickets on the chance of winning a Harley Davidson Special Edition model. I had no clue the event has happening until a phone call from my husband summoned me and my camera.
As soon as I stepped outside our house, you could hear the rumble of the all the bikes arriving at Thiel's. When I arrived, the bikes had rolled in and riders were taking a break. A limo had accompanied the riders carrying the Winfield family (or at least that was what I was told).
About an hour later, the group began to leave for the next stop. The run has become so popular that the organizers offered two routes from which to choose after the Upper stop. The bikes all arrived in mass, but kind of left as they desired. From my pictures, you can see there were some very fancy bikes, and riders were of all ages. Several charities benefit from the proceeds of the run including the Winfield Children's Trust Fund. Before 2008, over $44,000 has been given away. I'm sure the riders enjoy the trip, and more will join next year!
For More Information on the Poker Run, go to www.brandywinfieldrun.org.
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