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Clyde Smith readies his Harley Davidson for entry into the motorcycle contest Saturday morning at the 9th annual Run to the Heartland event. Smith, a Lake Wales resident, has participated in the event for several years and always makes sure his bike sparkles for the judges.
click any photo to view this story's photo gallery    published: Sunday, October 07, 2012 
Motorcycles line the streets By SAMANTHA GHOLAR SEBRING - "This event is fantastic," longtime Run to the Heartland volunteer James Barney said Saturday morning as he waved a group of bikers into the Circle. Barney, a Fort Myers residents, has served as a volunteer at RTTH for several years and is a King's Way Riders (1047) Christian Motorcycle Association member. Saturday morning just as the streets around Sebring's downtown Circle Park were filling up, along with the beer cups, Barney and other volunteers were busy directing traffic around the Circle onto the spoke streets for parking. Close by, Barney's young grandson, Sean Corbin, sat curbside and watched his grandfather worked. "This is my first year here," Corbin said excitedly. Corbin is a member of the kid's version of the Christian Motorcycle Association. He hopes to ride one day like his grandfather. Attendees began filling the streets and vendor booths just after 10 a.m. Saturday. The Central Florida Drill Team, famous for their motorcycle demonstration, performed a number of tricks for guests. The drill team showed off their impressive turns and figure eights in groups of four. The riders pulled off the tricks with precision and confidence, giving spectators a great show. Owners parked their bikes along the spoke streets of the Circle,mingled with fellow riders and met up with old friends. Down on Commerce Avenue near Sebring City Hall a couple of riders were busy collecting compliments on their picture perfect motorcycles. Lake Wales resident Clyde Smith humbly thanked an older gentlemen who admired his bright blue Harley Davidson. Smith cleaned his bike with Armor All Saturday morning in preparation for the motorcycle contest. "I come almost every year," Smith said, never taking his eyes off his Harley. "I didn't make it down here last year so I thought I'd come on down this year." Throughout, bike owners and admirers spoke nothing but kind words and soaked in the friendly event. "This is a big event. I come every year," Barney said. "I go to events like this all over Florida and this is one of the bigger ones. They always manage to get a lot of motorcycles and people here every year." The Run to the Heartland event closes out at 6 p.m. today. The event still has numerous events to enjoy on its final day. The Vintage Bike Show will be held at 2 p.m. with registration beginning at 9 a.m. The Christian Motorcycle Association will hold a breakfast at Circle Stage from 8-9 a.m. The Blessing of the Bikes and morning service follows immediately at 9 a.m. Musical entertainment will go on all day and the Vintage Bike Show results will be held from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Demonstrations will begin at noon in the Demonstration Area on South Ridgewood Drive.  smaller (by: biker - 10/9/2012) I thought it was much smaller and had alot less vendors than in previous years. motorcycle event (by: as - 10/8/2012) this year was the worst o all of them,,little choices o vendors,,boreing,,nothing to do but listen to band ,,a few short attractions,,,streets used to be full of bikes it was like a ghost town compared to other years,,most all the stores around circle were not open or closed early,I have been to every one of them and this was the worst  Small Banner Ads |
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