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Of toys big and small Warm hearts, cool bikes, cars

Rebels with a (good) cause and casual bikers will have a shindig in downtown Palm Harbor on Saturday.

By TERRI BRYCE REEVES, Times Correspondent
Published November 16, 2007

Motorcycles line up at last year's Old Palm Harbor Bike Fest, which consists of a charity ride, block party and, this year, a classic car show.
	[Born to Ride (2006)]

ADVERTISEMENT [Stephen J. Coddington | Times] Mark Lunsford leads 4,500 motorcycles in Hernando County in February to mark the second anniversary of Jessica Lunsford's death.

PALM HARBOR - Gear up for a good time as the fifth annual Old Palm Harbor Bike Fest rolls into town Saturday.

"The weather is going to be gorgeous," predicted Robin Husbands-Cauchi, executive director of Old Palm Harbor Main Street, which sponsors the event. The nonprofit organization seeks to preserve and enhance the quality of life and businesses in Old Palm Harbor.

The motorcycle Ride for Toys begins at noon at the Wal-Mart at Alderman Road and U.S. 19 N. The procession will be led by Mark Lunsford, the father who has become a well-known advocate for tougher child protection laws after the murder of his daughter, Jessica. The Tarpon Springs Police Department and Pinellas County Sheriff's Office will escort them.

Registration for the bike ride begins at 10 a.m. at Wal-Mart. A $10 donation or $5 with a new toy is requested.

The motorcade will wind into historic downtown Palm Harbor, where an old-fashioned block party hosted by motorcycle celebrity "Radical Randy" will be starting. He will present an open juried multiple-category show ranging from street bikes to radical custom motorcycles.

Registration for the bike show begins at noon, judging will end at 3 p.m. and awards will be handed out at 5 p.m.

The event takes place from noon to 10 p.m. on Florida and Georgia avenues between Alternate 19 and Omaha Street/County Road 1. There will be plenty of food, beer, mixed drinks and retail items for sale.

The toys will go to children of soldiers serving overseas through the U.S. Marines' Toys for Tots program. Money raised will benefit Old Palm Harbor community programs.

New this year: Ronnie Setser, who owns a Tampa custom paint and body shop, plans to bring his giant truck-mounted jukebox. He will also officiate a custom and classic car competition from 1 to 5 p.m. An awards ceremony is slated for 4 p.m. on Georgia Avenue.

Besides the jukebox music, there will be Southern classic rock bands this year, including Jason Webb of the Caribbean Chillers, the Bobby Friss Band, Legacy Band and the Brian Chris Band.

"It will be a fun family-oriented event," Husbands-Cauchi said.

For more information, contact Old Palm Harbor Main Street at (727) 787-4700 or visitwww.oldpalmharbormainstreet.net or www.palmharborbikefest.com.

[Last modified November 15, 2007, 20:07:18]