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Bikers ride in great weather at Leechburg fundraiser
Joyce Hanz for Trib Total Media
Jo and Carl Isaacson have been married 38 years and share a love for riding motorcycles. The South Bend couple took part in their first tribute ride at the second annual blessing of the bikes event hosted by the Leechburg Volunteer Fire Department Sunday.
A flawless May sky bolstered turnout for Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company's blessing of the bikes fundraising event Sunday.
“We have a record crowd this year,” said event coordinator Alisha Schall.
More than 100 motorcycles arrived throughout the morning and quickly filled the department's grounds on First Street.
A flag ceremony was conducted by Cub Pack and Boy Scout Troop 553, live music was provided by Amber Alexis and the department's kitchen was selling plenty of food and drinks to satisfy the crowd. Fire company pins, T-shirts and patches were for sale. There were a Chinese auction and a 50/50 raffle.
“This is a fundraiser,” said Schall. “It's a free event, but we do ask for a donation from those participating in the tribute ride.”
The blessing was provided by Gary and Lisa Lyon, co-pastors of Cross Roads Community Presbyterian Church in Leechburg.
“Bikers asked if we would bless their season with prayer. This event is growing each year,” said Gary Lyon, a volunteer firefighter for Leechburg.
Cross Roads Church views the event as a great opportunity to meet the call of the community and beyond.
“Our blessing of the bikes last year was met so positively by those who attended, we are thrilled to continue this annually as a fundraiser,” Schall said.
Serving the Leechburg community since 1890, the department is holding fundraisers to pay for a 2013 102-foot aerial platform truck it recently purchased for $770,000.
The tribute ride started at 1 p.m. with Dave Safranyos, assistant chief, driving the fire truck in the lead. The 35-mile ride meandered through Armstrong and Westmoreland counties, looping around the Ford City area, traveling through Vandergrift and concluding back at First Street in Leechburg.
“You don't even have to ride to appreciate seeing the beauty of the bikes and the sound of those engines,” said Schall. “The route takes the bikers on a beautiful ride while giving them the chance to ride for someone they love and want to honor. A nice touch is the bikers reading their honoree's name after they return from the ride.”
Hundreds of bikers alongside their family and friends mingled, admiring motorcycles and sharing stories.
“I married into riding,” said Melissa Phares of Allegheny Township. “My husband Eric and I ride all the time, and we are happy to support a local community bike event.”
A biker for 35 years, Kevin Daugherty of Apollo returned this year for the tribute ride, but reluctantly had to leave his wife at home.
“She is sick and so disappointed to miss this day,” said Daugherty. “There are a lot more machines here this year, and I know fire equipment is unbelievably expensive, so an event like this brings out the biker camaraderie for a great cause.”
Cheyanne Montgomery, a sophomore at Kiski Area High School, stood alongside her dad's gleaming motorcycle as she geared up for her first tribute ride.
“My dad was in a bad motorcycle wreck 15 years ago,” said Montgomery. “But he is back. He got this bike three years ago, and here we are today.”
Joyce Hanz is a contributing writer for Trib Total Media.
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