The Motorcycle Ride for Dad, supporting the Prostate Cancer Foundation, thundered through Windsor-Essex on Sunday.
A large congregation of motorcycles departed from Thunder Road Harley Davidson, enjoying a scenic route that included stops at the Royal Canadian Legion Fort Malden Branch 157, Colchester Bar & Grill, and concluded at The Bourbon in Belle River for an evening of festivities.
Initiated in 2005, Ride for Dad organizes events across Canada and has successfully raised over $1 million in the battle against prostate cancer. Funds from the annual rides contribute to innovative research, awareness campaigns, and emphasize the significance of early detection. Discover more on their website.
SLIDE SHOW: Over 500 motorcyclists participate in BRACAC’s 25th annual Great Teddy Bear Run
Published 2:15 pm Saturday, April 26, 2025
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More than 500 motorcyclists set off from the Warren County Justice Center during Barren River Area Child Advocacy Center’s 25th annual Great Teddy Bear Run, headed to Bowling Green Harley Davidson to raise awareness about child abuse and support local children on April 26, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
John Pendley from Scottsville, a member of the Master Builders Masonic Riders Association, secures a sloth stuffed animal on his bike before joining over 500 motorcyclists from across the region in the Great Teddy Bear Run on April 26, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Stuffed animals are attached to over 500 motorcycles as riders gather at the Warren County Justice Center for the Great Teddy Bear Run to support local children on April 26, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Mike McCoy receives assistance from fellow riders in affixing a teddy bear to his leather vest before joining the annual Great Teddy Bear Run to raise awareness about child abuse on April 26, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Motorcyclists from various regions embark on their journey from the Warren County Justice Center during the Great Teddy Bear Run to raise awareness about child abuse on April 26, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
The Teddy Bear mascot of the Barren River Area Child Advocacy Center greets the motorcyclists before their ride to raise awareness about child abuse on April 26, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
As the engines roar, over 500 motorcyclists prepare to kick off the Great Teddy Bear Run, raising awareness about child abuse on April 26, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Motorcyclists join the parade from the Warren County Justice Center during the Great Teddy Bear Run to raise awareness about child abuse on April 26, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Participants in the Great Teddy Bear Run set out from the Warren County Justice Center to help raise awareness about child abuse on April 26, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Stuffed animals adorn the motorcycles of participants gathered for the Great Teddy Bear Run on April 26, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Members of the Kentucky American Legion Riders gather with the Teddy Bear mascot before the start of the Great Teddy Bear Run on April 26, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
A small teddy bear sticks out of Kyle “Hottest” Jeffery’s pocket as he prepares to ride in the Great Teddy Bear Run on April 26, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Motorcyclists gather with stuffed animals for the Great Teddy Bear Run at the Warren County Justice Center on April 26, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Motorcyclists with stuffed animals assemble at the Warren County Justice Center for the Great Teddy Bear Run on April 26, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Motorcyclists from various areas take off from the Warren County Justice Center for the Great Teddy Bear Run to raise awareness about child abuse on April 26, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Motorcyclists leave the Warren County Justice Center during the Great Teddy Bear Run on April 26, 2025, to promote awareness about child abuse. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Motorcyclists gather at the Warren County Justice Center for the Great Teddy Bear Run to raise awareness about child abuse on April 26, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Motorcyclists with stuffed animals gather at the Warren County Justice Center for the Great Teddy Bear Run on April 26, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Motorcyclists begin their journey from the Warren County Justice Center during the Great Teddy Bear Run on April 26, 2025, aimed at raising awareness about child abuse. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Motorcyclists head out from the Warren County Justice Center for the Great Teddy Bear Run on April 26, 2025, to promote awareness about child abuse. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Over 500 motorcyclists from various regions participated in the Barren River Area Child Advocacy Center’s 25th annual Great Teddy Bear Run, riding from the Warren County Justice Center to the Bowling Green Harley Davidson to raise awareness about child abuse and support local children on Saturday, April 26, 2025.
Photojournalist for the Bowling Green Daily News since 2019. Any news or sports tips? Send them my way at [email protected]!
The Beloved Teddy Bear Run Celebrates Its 25th Anniversary
Published 1:51 pm Monday, March 3, 2025
Motorcyclists prepare to embark on a 13-mile journey from the Warren County Justice Center to the Bowling Green Harley-Davidson for the Great Teddy Bear Run on April 27, 2024. Brought together by an impressive number of riders this year, the event is in support of the Barren River Area Child Advocacy Center, which aids child abuse victims. This year’s run is set for April 26. (Grace Ramey/[email protected])
The Great Teddy Bear Run by the Barren River Area Child Advocacy Center is returning for its 25th year on April 26, aiming to raise awareness about child abuse and provide support for local children.
Sponsored by Aetna Better Health of Kentucky, the 13-mile group ride kicks off with registration at 9 a.m. at the Warren County Justice Center, concluding at 1 p.m. at Harley-Davidson of Bowling Green. The ride officially begins at 11 a.m.
Sabrina Durbin, outreach coordinator for BRACAC, mentioned that the ride serves as a fundraising opportunity, covering crucial services not financed by grants.
“These fundraisers are essential,” she emphasized.
BRACAC operates in Bowling Green, extending its services to ten surrounding counties.
“It’s a sanctuary for children and families seeking assistance following disclosures of sexual abuse,” Durbin explained. “Funds raised support these services, ensuring that costs don’t become a barrier for families during such a traumatic time.”
Some free services provided include victim advocacy, medical examinations, forensic interviews, and trauma-focused therapy.
Riders are encouraged to bring new teddy bears to attach to their motorcycles, which will be donated to child abuse victims for comfort.
In honor of the event’s 25th anniversary, new features have been introduced, such as a commemorative patch available for riders and a tattoo artist at Harley-Davidson offering special tattoos, including a teddy bear design for the occasion.
“There are many exciting elements this year,” Durbin noted. “However, the highlight remains the motorcycle ride itself, complete with a police escort through the city. It promises to be a delightful day.”
The ride concludes with a block party at Harley-Davidson featuring a silent auction, raffle, DJ, vendors, food trucks, and dessert trucks.
Online registration ends on April 22, with all sign-ups prior to April 17 receiving an event t-shirt, pin, and swag bag.
The pre-registration fee is $35 for a single rider, with an additional $25 for a passenger.
All attendees will have the opportunity to engage in fundraising efforts.
For more details and to register, please visit bracac.org.
I hail from Owensboro and graduated from Owensboro High School. I earned my degree in print journalism from Murray State University in 1994. I’ve been residing in Bowling Green and working at the paper since my graduation.
Just found this pic taken a couple of years ago, my dear old FXDX, gleaming in front of a steam train. This bike was sadly lost in an accident December 2015.
