DEXTER — The parking lot of the Dexter Elks Lodge shook as 80 motorcycles filed in Saturday morning for the 10th annual Ride for a Cure.
From sportbikes to cruisers to trikes, riders from all over the region came together to raise money for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Several classic cars showed up as well.
Organizer Brian Jones said the event commemorates the life of his friend Larry Maronay. Diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in his junior year in high school, Maronay spent nearly 14 years battling the disease with the help of St. Jude. In 2010, he passed away.
Jones noted Maronay always loved motorcycles and cars. On display in the lodge was a black 2002 Harley-Davidson Dyna Wide Glide with blue flame skull motifs. Jones explained this was Larry’s motorcycle.
He tracked it down and purchased it in 2014. Shortly after, the annual Ride for a Cure was born.
“This week has been a week of emotions,” Jones affirmed.
He rides Larry’s bike every year for the event. Riders participated in a dice run and a silent auction. Jones said this year’s event raised close to $14,000. The sum of the previous years approaches $65,000.
“I love it,” said Charles Blackmon, a longtime veteran of the event. “I’ve always been excited about this ride.”
While sidelined from riding his motorcycle due to a surgery this year, he still came out to support the fundraiser. Blackmon noted he’s been riding for 66 years.
Will Jarrett was on the other end of the experience level. He came to the event with two weeks of riding experience on a brand-new 2024 Kawasaki Ninja 500.
“I’m looking forward to hanging out with people,” Jarett said.
He heard about the event on Snapchat and wanted to take his new bike out for a ride.
Jerry Russom stated, “I’m here for the kids.”
He added he has been on two wheels for 50 years. Also present at the event was Larry Maronay’s father, Ed.
“I thank ya’ll for coming,” he said, “Thank you for all you do. You don’t know how much.”
At 11 a.m., kickstands were up and the parking lot thundered with the sound of engines. The column of motorcycles filed out to the Veterans of Foreign Wars lodge at Lake Wappapello, where riders rolled dice again. Participants tallied up their score from the die at each stop and the winner received a $200 cash prize.
The individual with the lowest score received their registration fee back, according to Jones. The ride included stops in Greenville and Duck Creek.
At 4 p.m., the riders returned to the Dexter Elk’s Lodge. Jones said the event is an important part of Larry’s legacy.
“We’re doing what we can to keep his memory alive,” he stated.