What planners call “the most family friendly bike rally” in the country, the Rileigh & Raylee Angel Ride, returns to Oak Hollow Farm and the Eastern Shore, October 30–November 1, 2014. The lucky 13th annual event features music, auctions, drawings, food, beer and wine tents, custom bike shows, vendors, and much more. This year, Southern Rock legends Lynyrd Skynyrd headline the show Saturday night, with opening act Mustang Sally.
The festivities kick off at the campground at Oak Hollow Farm, just south of Fairhope, with the Thursday Bonfire and live entertainment by Cool Rayz. Another favorite band, Wet Willie, plays on Friday night at the Halloween Friday Night “Spooktacular” concert. New this year is an expanded Sports Bar area so participants can enjoy the weekend festivities and still catch the important games.
Saturday opens with the vendor expo, the custom bike show at noon, and then the ride at 2:30 pm, when hundreds of bikers take a scenic ride through Baldwin County and along Mobile Bay. The event expects at least 1,500 riders this year, a big change from the 200 that attended the first ride, according to Mary Carolyn McDaniel with the Angel Ride Foundation. “In past years, we have had bikers come from all of the Southern states. This year the response through social media has shown a great interest throughout the United States, so we expect bikers from many states. However, you do not have to be a biker to attend. A lot of people come just for the music and other activities.”
The Rileigh and Raylee Angel Ride Foundation was started 13 years ago by the inspiration of two local children, Rileigh Glass and Raylee Odom. Rileigh was born with Down Syndrome and Raylee with Muscular Dystrophy. Their special needs brought to light the hardships a family may be challenged with when caring for children with overwhelming needs. The Angel Ride is the single largest contributor to the foundation. “Since the first year, we have raised more than $1 million and funded help more than 700 times,” McDaniel said. “The Angel Ride helps children with special medical needs not covered by insurance. If it were not for the volunteers, sponsors, and the surrounding communities, many families would not only have to deal with medical issues, but also would be burdened with financial issues.”
For more information on tickets, camping, and more, visit www.angel-ride.org.
