A photo from Saturday’s event. (Photo by Al Disbro, provided by Sandy Atkins.)

WARSAW — A local group held a motorcycle ride fundraiser event, “Ride To Save Our Fairgrounds and Kid’s Future” on Saturday, May 11, to help financially support the Kosciusko County Community Fairgrounds. 

The second annual fairgrounds bike ride was held by the group ‘We Want Another Warsaw Speedway.’ Event organizers were Sandy Atkins, Syracuse; Rich Miotto, Warsaw; and Donnie Holbrook, Warsaw.

According to Atkins, there were a total of 45 bikes participating in this year’s ride. Atkins stated the colder, wet weather may have impacted the turnout. Participants rode 87 miles around the county, starting and ending at the fairgrounds. 

Fulton County bus crash survivor Maverick Lowe was the grand marshal, riding in a car with his family. 

Pulled pork dinners were provided to all participants. Billy Youngblood and the Smokin Gorillas out of Fort Wayne performed until it began to rain and the event ended early. Two other bands that had been scheduled to play, Helicon’s Peak and Ain’t Ryte, were canceled due to weather conditions. 

“We are trying to help raise money to keep the fairgrounds open so that the kids can continue to have 4-H there as well as other events,” said Atkins. “We want our kids and grandkids to have some great memories there like we do.”

“Since the lawsuit was filed one year ago, we have worked to raise money to help with the legal fees and upkeep of the fairgrounds,” Atkins stated. “We will continue to help out as much as we can by doing these different events. We want to bring awareness to the community to get involved.”

According to Atkins, $1,419.48 was raised from Saturday’s event, and another ride is already being planned for next June. 

Atkins also said the track at the Kosciusko Fairgrounds, located at 1400 E. Smith St., Warsaw, is no longer called Warsaw Speedway but is now known as the Warsaw Motorsports Complex. 

She stated the group will be holding rides annually or for special occasions. In November, the group raised $1,400 for the families of the Fulton County bus crash accident.

Participants rode 87 miles across Kosciusko County. Photo by Al Disbro, provided by Sandy Atkins.