Summer is upon us and with it comes the best weekend party of the year! On June 19th to 21st Ride for Sight, Canada’s largest motorcycle fundraiser, is taking over the Town of Collingwood on the shores of beautiful Georgian Bay. All money raised by Ride for Sight goes to The Foundation Fighting Blindness to fund eye research.

“The new partnership between Ride for Sight and the Town of Collingwood means that not only can motorcyclists enjoy the festivities and support the cause, but that everybody from residents to local businesses can now participate in this great weekend festival in some way,” said Debbie Dixon, National Marketing & Event Manager, Ride for Sight.

While the new ‘Ride for Sight Collingwood Waterfront’ offers a new way to celebrate the ride weekend, some things have stayed the same. Motorcycle enthusiasts who raise $75 or more in donations will still receive a wristband that will give them access to the activities, including the live evening concerts and free camping. All of the traditional favourites will be back too; Bike Games, Show n’ Shine, Motorcycle Demo Rides, and Vendor Marketplace. In addition to all of the great entertainment, participants will enjoy new Ride for Sight activities on the streets and waterfront of downtown Collingwood.

“The Town of Collingwood is delighted to be partnering in this event and I wish all the participants every success,” said Mayor Christopher J. Carrier. “This was a great event for Collingwood and I welcome everyone back!”

Why You Need to Come Out to Ride for Sight 2009

Canadian rock legend, Kim Mitchell, will be performing on Saturday, June 20th at the Millennium Park on the water. Shuttle bus service will be available to and from the campground and the concert Saturday night. Friday and Saturday night will feature live entertainment at both Millennium Park and The Village at Blue Mountain.

Jim Caruk, host of HGTV’s Real Renos, will be lending his star power to Ride for Sight. An avid motorcyclist himself, Jim is committed to supporting Ride for Sight. He will be hosting the Ride for Sight Bike Games giving participants an opportunity to win a garage full of Stanley Tools!

Harley-Davidson, Suzuki, Yamaha, and Honda are just some of the big motorcycle manufacturers who will be bringing their fleet of brand new bikes to Ride for Sight weekend. It’s your chance to check out all the new models and even demo your favourites.

Of course, Ride for Sight weekend wouldn’t be the same without the traditional motorcycle parade that will begin in Toronto and travel along scenic Airport Road as it makes its way to the Town of Collingwood. Kick-off celebrations and parade is on Saturday, June 20th, and commences at the International Centre (Airport Rd. & Derry Rd.). Arrive early! The parade departs 10 a.m. sharp. For more details about the Ride for Sight Collingwood Waterfront, please visit www.rideforsight.com.

The Cause: Where Your Money Goes

All money raised by Ride for Sight is in support of the Foundation Fighting Blindness. To-date, Ride for Sight has raised more than $17 million in support of the Foundation Fighting Blindness, the only organization in Canada whose sole mandate is to fund research for blindness caused by retinal degenerations, which affects more than one million Canadians. For a list of the research the Foundation has funded to-date, please visit www.ffb.ca.

Your Support Helps, Miracles Do Happen!

Kim Mitchell playing guitar Just 15 years ago, Dale Turner was diagnosed with a rare genetic eye disease and was losing his sight. Last year Dale received a new treatment and had some sight restored.

“Three days after the gene therapy surgery, I got to go outside and I took off my sunglasses and peered into the sky. I had seen the sky before, but never like this, never with vibrant colour. It was an overwhelming blue. It was such an emotional moment for me. The proof that research works was right in front of my eyes.” – Dale Turner, Age 21

For more than 30 years, Ride for Sight participants have been supporting vision research, allowing the Foundation Fighting Blindness to keep cutting-edge research going. Each project funded means another discovery, and another step closer to treatments and cures for those losing their sight to blindness.

Thanks to the sponsors: Harley-Davidson, Dalton Timmis Insurance, Suzuki, Yamaha, Victory Motorcycles, Bombardier, Royal Distributing, Motorcycle Mojo, Inside Motorcycles, Canadian Biker, MMIC, Town of Collingwood, the International Centre, Straight Street Event Services, Sleeman, Peak Powersports, Thurst-t’s Cycle, Black Fly, Metro, Q107, Caruk Group, David Hillis, Tim Hortons, Stanley Hand Tools, Stanley Proto, Bostitch, North American International Motorcycle Supershow 2009, Toronto International Spring Motorcycle Show, Holiday Inn, Days Inn, The Village at Blue Mountain, Tyrolean Village Resorts.

Ride for Sight Across Canada

Ride for Sight takes place across Canada, in eight regions: Alberta, Central Ontario, Manitoba, Maritimes, Newfoundland & Labrador, Northwestern Ontario, Northwest Territories, and Saskatchewan. Each ride offers its own uniqueness, but all are huge summer celebrations.

Annual Ride for Sight weekends feature a variety of activities including: bike games, live entertainment, show n’ shines, a vendor marketplace and more. Participants also have the option of riding in a motorcycle parade from a select location to the celebration site, which takes place on the Saturday of the weekend celebration.

While Ride for Sight participants are primarily comprised of motorcyclists– volunteers, fundraisers and supporters also include non-motorcyclists and families affected by retinal diseases.

Fundraising Online Saves Money

To help capitalize on every fundraising dollar, participants are encouraged to fundraise online. Why? Online fundraising is fast and it’s easy! Online donations don’t only save time and money, but are also better for the environment; donors receive automatic tax receipts (for any donations $20 and over) almost instantaneously via email so no paper printout or postage required.

Simply visit www.rideforsight.com and click on Online Fundraising. From there it is an easy click away to registering and beginning your fundraising campaign.

Show your support for Ride for Sight, Canada’s longest running motorcycle event, by sponsoring a rider or fundraise as a “virtual rider”.

For more details on a specific ride, please visit www.rideforsight.com. Or call toll free, 1.800.461.3331.

 

Ride for Sight 2009:

Central Ontario Ride June 19 – 21 Collingwood Waterfront

Maritimes Ride June 5-7 • Aylesford, NS Fox Mountain Camping Park

Northwest Territories Ride June 5-7 Inuvik to Rock River, NWT

Alberta Ride June 12-14 • Olds, AB Agricultural Centre Fairgrounds

Northwestern Ontario Ride June 19-21 • Longlac, ON Riverview Campground

Newfoundland & Labrador Ride June 26 – 28 • Gander, NL Gander Community Centre

Saskatchewan Ride June 27 • Moose Jaw, SK Western Development Museum

Manitoba Ride July 10-12 • Treherne, MB Treherne Campground