Organizers of Wade’s Ride are hoping to continue their positive impact for young children and their parents with the annual event taking place Saturday morning.
The event honors the memory of Gail Barrett’s son, Wade, who hadn’t turned a year old when he died of SIDS. Gail Barrett says her in-laws came up with the idea, but it took a couple years before she and her husband could “embrace the idea.” Now she says she loves the event and the opportunities it offers to educate residents about SIDS. The program now has two main focal points.
The 10th annual event will now launch from the Bowyer Community Building after nine years at the Wagon Wheel. Organizer Gail Barrett says the new venue has let the event expand to add things like a 5K. The poker run is taking on a new form with a 125-mile ride to Eskridge, Alma, Council Grove and Strong City. The annual auction returns with close to 60 items and there is a drawing for a Kansas City Chiefs helmet autographed by quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Poker run registration starts at 7:30 am with the ride starting at 8:30. 5K registration starts at 10 am with the run starting at 11, and the meal starts at 11 am. The auction runs from 7:30 am-1:30 pm. Suggested donations for the helmet drawing are $10 for one ticket, $20 for three tickets, $50 for eight and $100 for 20 tickets.
