The Newport Plain Talk

PIGEON FORGE--Hundreds of motorcycle enthusiasts will convene at Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede on Saturday, Oct. 18, for the Annual Sevier-Cocke County Bikers for Babies RIDE presented by Farmers Insurance and locally by Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede and Belle Island Village.

RIDE raised $7,000 in Sevier County last year to benefit the March of Dimes.

This year, event organizers are expecting to raise $15,000 as Sevier and Cocke counties unite to make this year's ride the most successful March of Dimes motorcycle event to date.

Riders are asked to donate a minimum of $20 while passengers are asked to contribute $5 for the March of Dimes.

Cyclists will enjoy a 50-mile ride with a route beginning in Pigeon Forge. Riders will proceed through Gatlinburg, Cosby, Newport, Sevierville, and end in Pigeon Forge. Complimentary lunch and entertainment will be provided at Belle Island Village, and participants will receive a commemorative T-shirt. The first 150 riders to register on line at www.bikersfor babies.org will receive their choice of pin and patch.

For every $100 raised, participants will earn a chance to win a get-away package, which includes a two-night stay at Belle Island Village, breakfast and dinner for two at Belle Island, two tickets for the Debbie Reynolds Hollywood Motion Picture Museum, and two tickets for Darrell Waltrip's Racing Experience. Numerous door prizes will be given away at the event.

Registration opens at 10 a.m. Participants will depart on the ride by 11 a.m. Participants can avoid the event-day crowd and pre-register at www.bikersforbabies.org. On-line registration is fast and secure.

The March of Dimes mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. This mission is attained through research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies.

The Cocke County headquarters for Bikers for Babies has been set up at The Hard Core Disciples of Jesus Christ clubhouse, off West Broadway in Newport.

Bikers for Babies RIDE for Sevier-Cocke counties committee members include March of Dimes Assistant Community Director Maria Roberts-Hunnicutt, Event Co-Chairs Lisa Branch of Dixie Stampede and Pigeon Forge Police Chief Jack Baldwin, Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism Special Projects Coordinator Sherri Kirby, Hard Core Disciples of Jesus Christ President Preacher Ray Slater, and The Newport Plain Talk Lifestyles Editor Kathy Hemsworth.

Bikers for Babies T-shirts are available for purchase at Hard Core Disciples of Jesus Christ. Both, long-sleeved T-shirts and short-sleeved T-shirts are available.

Local sponsors are also needed for the event. Sponsors must contribute a minimum of $250 and will have their business name and logo included on promotional materials and the "official" ride T-shirt, which will given to all registered riders.

For more information about the ride or to purchase a T-shirt, call Preacher Ray at (865) 237-2139.

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