ATTENTION: ALL AREA MOTORCYCLISTS AND SUPPORTERS OF MOTORCYCLING

The DuKane A.B.A.T.E. Toy and Food Run enters its 32nd year on Sunday, October 14, 2018. Thousands of motorcyclists will once again gather from multiple registration and collection points, all leading to a central staging area in Elburn for a fully escorted parade to Batavia. The parade is led by none other than Santa Claus, who will be joined by area lawmakers, including Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner, himself an avid motorcyclist. Once on the event grounds, at the Batavia VFW on River Street, attendees will be treated to a day of music, food, and fun. Toy and food donations collected for this charity event will benefit 18+ local charities. Registration activities begin as early as 9:30 am and the event will draw to a close at 6:00 pm.

Anybody who misses this year’s event will miss out indeed.

There’s something about seeing, hearing, and feeling all those motorcycles rolling into the parade staging area surrounding Knucklehead’s Tavern and Schmidt’s Towne Tap in Elburn. The people-watching opportunities alone are worth the price of admission, which is just $10 per person, plus an unwrapped new toy and/or a non-perishable food item. As all those bikes accumulate and the riders gather in anticipation of rolling out in parade formation, a live concert plays out right behind Knuckleheads, for the pleasure of all who gather round.

Performing in Elburn this year will be none other than Joker’s Rival, a local crowdpleaser who will be covering great songs by Led Zeppelin, Foo Fighters, AC/DC, Cheap Trick, and more.

As the motorcycle parade concludes on the grounds of the Batavia VFW, attendees will be thoroughly entertained by The Eliminator Band, Chicagoland’s popular ZZ Top Tribute Band. Eliminator brings their act all over the country and can be sure to keep everyone on their feet!

Also performing on the main stage at Batavia VFW will be Unforgiven, the one band that decidedly can turn any song into a Metallica tune. This band will rock you all day!

 [UPDATE: Due to illness, Unforgiven will be unable to appear on October 14. In their place, Chicagoland’s  great rock and roll band Centerfold will be performing classic rock hits and current pop favorites to the delight of the crowd.]

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The March of Flags presentation in conjunction with the Star Spangled Banner is among the most moving moments of the day. You have to experience it and see the faces of so many military veterans in attendance to understand. And of course, this being an election year, there will be politicians doing what they do best. But let us not forget what this annual DuKane A.B.A.T.E. Toy and Food Run means to so many local charities that benefit from the generosity of so many people.

When it comes to passing the hat and providing support to those in need, one would be hard pressed to find a more charitable sort than the motorcycling community. But while most motorcycle-oriented fundraising events are geared toward a single cause, the donations collected for the DuKane A.B.A.T.E. Toy and Food Run will benefit 18 or more local charitable organizations immediately following the event.

For each of these reasons and more, the DuKane A.B.A.T.E. Toy and Food Run is an event that you should not miss. Come by motorcycle, come by car, walk if you have to, but please join us on October 14 for this event.