Annual Bike Event Back With New Attractions

The 5th annual Run To The Heartland is getting ready to roar into town for a weekend of fun, food and lots of bikes.

This year, several new attractions have been added to the event, which will run Oct. 3 to Oct. 5, said Lora Todd, marketing director for Heartland Riders, the organizers.

"We added new attractions because we wanted to keep events fresh so that people would come back," Todd said. Entry is free.

The "Sauce Boss," an entertainer who cooks gumbo, plays original Blues music and then feeds the crowd, will take center stage from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Oct. 4 on the Sebring Circle. The Circle will be the focus of several of the shows.

There will be motorcycle clothing fashion shows on two days: Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m., and at 12:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., Oct. 4. They will be held at the Circle Shop.

Also new this year is a motorcycle thrill show that will offer several performances on all three days on Mango Street, in downtown Sebring.

Todd said the Run was not just a motorcycle event. Non-bikers and families are invited to sample the food, the music and the beautiful bikes.

A Kid'z Zone will keep children entertained with games, puppet shows, clowns and this year's attraction, the motivational speaking team of Steve Carrier of the Power Team.

This year, the Central Florida Drill Team will offer more demonstrations on motorcycle skill and safety.

The ABATE "Frisco's Famous" Poker Run, with signup beginning at 8 a.m. Oct. 4, once again will take bikers on 100 miles of backroads.

Todd said the poker run is one of the popular events at the show. More than 200 signed up last year.

Four years ago, Hurricane Jeanne almost wiped out the first Run To The Heartland when it came barreling through just a few days before the first day.

Somehow, the Heartland Riders scrambled to get it together, and it happened.

Five years in the making, the Run has grown in popularity, Todd said, and she is expecting several bikers from out-of-town areas.

Her favorite part is when the motorcycles and the bikers zip into town.

"Just dozens and dozens of them," she said. 'And then to see them relaxed and stroll across the downtown (is a good feeling)."

Schedule For Run To The Heartland
Oct. 3
11 a.m. Opening Ceremonies
Centerstage
3 to 5 p.m. Play Back Band
5:30 to 8 p.m. Southbound Band
8:30 to 11 p.m. Quick Fire Band
Mango Street
6 p.m. FERE Motorcycle Thrill Show
Circle Shop
6:30 p.m. Motorcycle Clothing Fashion Show
Demo Area
7 p.m. Central Florida Drill team skill and safety demonstration.
Kid'z Zone
4 to 8 p.m. Steve Carrier of the Power Team, and games.
Oct. 4
9 a.m. Opening ceremonies
8 to 10 a.m. ABATE's Frisco's Famous' Poker Run signup.
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bike Show signup
Center Stage
11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Flor & the Puppies Band
2:30 to 5 p.m. The Sauce Boss
5 to 5:30 p.m. Poker run and bike show results
5:30 to 8 p.m. Rastus Kain Band
8:30 to 11 p.m. Un 4 Given Band
Mango Street
FERE Motorcycle Thrill Show
Four shows at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Circle Shop
Motorcycle fashion shows at 12:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Demo Area
Central Florida Drill Team skill and safety demonstrations.
Shows at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., and 7 p.m.
Kid'z Zone
9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Steve Carrier of the Power Team, games, puppet shows, clowns.
Oct. 5
Centerstage
9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. "Worship in the Heartland" presented by LJ Ministeries
9 a.m. to 10:40 a.m. Worship music and speakers
10:40 to 11 a.m. Blessing of the bikes
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Music by Caleb's Cadence
1 to 3:30 p.m. Deb and the Dynamics
4 to 6 p.m. Quick Fire Band
Mango Street
FERE Motorcycle Thrill Show
Shows at noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Demo Area
Central Florida Drill Team skill and safety demonstration show at 1 p.m.
Kid'z Zone
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Steve Carrier of the Power Team, and games.