Come rain or shine, the Ride for Our Troops event starting at Edmonton Garrison on Saturday is a go. And bikers can cap off the four-stop route with a hog-wild party and concert hosted by MuchMusic at Rednex in Morinville.
This fundraiser is the brainchild of Celebration of Life Botanical Gardens, a group of individuals striving to create a tranquil haven dedicated to men and women who have lost their lives protecting others — fallen soldiers, firefighters and police officers.
Although land for the proposed garden — which will be located east of Ellerslie — is still being negotiated, organizers are already fundraising for the construction, says garden project manager Jenny Angelos. ”Once the garden is built, it will be a very nice place to remember the troops,” she says.
Organizers hope to attract 5,000 riders and the Lone Wolf Club has already committed 1,200 for a route that spans Spruce Grove, Onoway, Villeneuve and Morinville.
Starting at noon, a specially barbecued pig and bison roast will be served at Rednex in the parking lot along with an unbelievable all-day concert line-up. Receiving top bill is legendary rock and roll guitar player Bernie Marsden of White Snake and Italian musician and rock vocal maestro Alessandro del Vecchio.
Also in the line-up is One Soul Thrust, the Canadian new classic-rock band and a host of other bands to get everyone revved up — Mindweiser, Black Mango, Mudmen and Tribal Garage.
And Shannon Szabados, Canadian Olympic gold medallist in hockey, will hoist one in a toast to the troops. “It’s pretty overwhelming for such a short notice event,” says Don Lien, Rednex owner.
Lien jumped on board two weeks ago when organizers approached him to host the event in his large parking lot and he obtained the necessary licence. “It’s really such a good cause.”
Ride registration is at 8:30 a.m. at Edmonton Garrison Canex and leaves at 10:30 a.m. Registration fee is $20.
Cost for the pig and bison feast is $10. Rednex is at 10413 - 100 Ave. in Morinville.
