Wings of Thunder roaring into town this weekend

By Staff
Tracy B. Cieniewicz, Hartselle Enquirer
Get your motor running to enjoy a fun-filled charity event this weekend in Hartselle.
The third annual Wings of Thunder Charity Motorcycle Ride will be Saturday, May 20, at Hartselle Airport. Registration for the ride is 8-10 a.m. Pre-registration is available now at the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce.
Enjoy live local entertainment noon-3 p.m. and a performance by Michael Dean &Memphis with J.D. Moss 3-5 p.m. featuring oldies and an Elvis tribute. Fun for the entire family will include door prizes, bike games, a bike show and car show, vendors, food and music. An authentic Orange County Chopper will also be for sale at the event.
Car show registration is $20 per vehicle and entrants will receive a free T-shirt. All proceeds will benefit the future special needs playground at Sparkman Park.
"Folks will enjoy looking at the motorcycles, good food, and a great opportunity to donate to a worthy cause," Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce President Susan Hines said. "The Hartselle Civitan Club began the special needs playground project at Sparkman Park and the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce wants to do its part to make the project a reality for our community. The estimated cost is between $50,000 and $60,000, so we need everyone's help that we can possibly get to make it happen."
Hines said a variety of supplies and materials are needed for the playground project, including concrete blocks, cement, wood and manpower.
"We'll take any kind of donation we can get to benefit the program," Hines explained. "Many things must happen before this dream can be realized. A retaining wall must be built, dirt must be spread, paths must be cut, concrete must be poured and a special mat that costs in excess of $10,000 must be purchased. All of this and more takes time, supplies, countless volunteer hours and lots of money. The city has volunteered the land and some workers with heavy equipment. We have some volunteers, but we'll need more when it comes time to build the playground."
The third annual Wings of Thunder Charity Motorcycle Ride will begin with the first motorcycle leaving Hartselle at 9 a.m. for a scenic four-hour ride through Morgan, Lawrence and Cullman counties with the last motorcycle returning at 4 p.m.
Event T-shirts will be available for sale with 100 percent of the profits benefiting the Sparkman Park special needs playground project.
For more information on the Wings of Thunder Charity Motorcycle Ride or the Sparkman Park special needs playground project, call the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce at 773-4370.