EDMONTON — Hundreds of bikers unofficially kicked off the Christmas season with the annual Edmonton motorcycle toy run in support of Santas Anonymous.
The ride took off from Capilano Mall Sunday morning. From there, the group made its way through the city and finished at Hawrelak Park.
Participants were invited to bring a new, unwrapped gift to donate to Santas Anonymous.
“The weather is a little cool, but everybody is in good spirits, everybody loves to ride, they love to show off their bikes,” said Linda Knowles, one of the event organizers, “and putting the toys on the back just makes it even better.”
The motorcycle toy run started in 1984 with just 250 bikers. Santas Anonymous is expected to hand out toys to upwards of 25,000 children in Edmonton this Christmas.
“This is a huge, big kickoff event for their Christmas drive,” said Knowles. “It’s an amazing cause. What this does is this puts a smile on a kid’s face at Christmas who wouldn’t normally have a toy.”
A similar event was held in Calgary last weekend.