When Halloween night comes around, children will walk from house to house, calling for treats or else tricks.
Children who can’t walk, hear, see, or otherwise take part can still get in on the fun at the Halloween Ride for Children, set for Saturday, Oct. 27 in Depot Park.
Kaz Mamon, founder, sponsor, and motorcycle enthusiast, has one request this year ? parents are asked only to bring children with special needs to the event.
‘Like a birthday, this day is specifically meant for kids unable due to medical condition to go trick-or-treating,? Mamon said.
Invited are children from all over the county ? up to 150 are expected. Parents should RSVP so organizers know how many will participate.
Lunch for the children will be served at 11:30 a.m. in the park. Motorcycle riders are set to arrive a little bit after noon.
‘The greatest thing is when the kids see and hear the bikes coming around the corner and the riders are dressed in costumes, and the bikers see the special-needs kids,? he said.
Children are encouraged to wear costumes, but in this event they will act as the houses ? riders go from station to station for trick-or-treating, although the children end up with the goodies.
‘We set up the kids in stations,? Mamon said. ‘A good time is held by all.?
The Halloween Ride is one of a series of fundraising rides organized by Manon throughout the year, raising more than $350,000 over the past 10 years for children.
Why does he do it?
‘Why not, man,? he said. ‘Who else will do it? I get a blind kid on my Harley and he revs the engine ? he can’t see, but he can sure hear it and feel it. We take for granted the ability to see.?
For more information or to register for the Halloween ride, check www.MamonRide. com.
Participation for special-needs children is free. Registration for riders is $10, which includes lunch at Outback restaurant afterwards, about 2 p.m.
Riders will meet at Bullfrogs restaurant on M-15 near Ortonville for registration at 11 a.m. The ride begins at noon, from the restaurant down M-15 to Depot Park.
Children will receive candy, as well as activities books, story books, and other educational items. A prize will be raffled off ? last year it was an over-sized Halloween lawn ornament.
Riders are strongly encouraged to wear costumes. In previous years, Manon has dressed as characters from Blue’s Clues, Austin Powers, Sesame Street, and the circus.
‘I don’t know what I’ll be this year,? he said. ‘The biggest thing is to reach out to the kids.?
Participants don’t have to be motorcycle riders.
‘Everyone is more than welcome,? Mamon said.