The countdown to LOVE RIDE 26 begins this Saturday, August 22 with a kick-off celebration and block party at Glendale Harley from 3:00PM-9:30PM. In addition to enjoying the festivities, those attending the party can be among the first to register for the legendary ride–the largest one-day motorcycle fundraising event in the world. LOVE RIDE 26 will be themed around the 40th anniversary of the ultimate road movie, EASY RIDER, the 1969 film classic staring Peter Fonda, a longtime LOVE RIDE Honorary Grand Marshall.
"We’re excited about the 2009 ride, and marking EASY RIDER’S 40th anniversary is a fun new way to shed more light on what we’re doing," said LOVE RIDE Founder & Chairman Oliver Shokouh, owner of Glendale Harley(R). "LOVE RIDE is about helping those less fortunate–this year, more than ever, there are so many people who need our assistance. Through the generosity of participants and sponsors of 2008’s Love Ride, we raised $1 million. I know that everyone is going to step up and help us exceed that figure. I’m looking forward to getting started at the kick-off this Saturday."
The LOVE RIDE 26 family-style kick-off event will take place outside the Glendale Harley dealership, located at 3717 San Fernando Rd., Glendale, CA, 91204 at the intersection of Mira Loma Ave and San Fernando Road. Highlights will include live music–kids rock band Harley Drive and ’70s/’80s cover band Time Bomb–DJ Mr. Gee, an airbrush tattoo artist, popcorn, cotton candy, prize raffles, and other entertainment and treats for all ages. As part of the day, the Glendale H.O.G. (Harley Owners Group) Chapter will also hold a fundraising bike wash.
Shokouh is scheduled to speak to the crowd at 6:15PM. A hearty beef brisket dinner will follow, with the evening being capped by cartoons and a feature film digitally projected on a large outdoor screen in the dealership’s employee parking lot. When the action-packed event ends, Glendale Harley will return to normal operations–until the early morning of October 25. Then–marking the climax of the three-day lifestyle event California Bike Week (10/23-25)–over 25,000 bikers from around the world will converge there for the start of LOVE RIDE 26. The ride, led by Grand Marshall Jay Leno, ends at the Fairplex in Pomona, CA with a giant vendor show, food, drinks and a star-studded concert.
