As participating area motorcycle riders prepare for tomorrow's fifth annual Jerry Parins Cruise for Cancer, organizers of the event also are encouraging non-riders to support the cause, especially by attending the free tailgate party following the ride in the southwest corner of the Lambeau Field parking lot.
The party will begin at 3 p.m. in the Lambeau Field parking lot near the Mills Fleet Farm Gate at the southwest corner of the stadium. A raffle, auction and music will be part of the festivities.
The auction will feature autographed pieces of Packers memorabilia, included an item signed by Brett Favre. Other sports teams will be represented as well with items from Reggie Bush of the Saints, Adrian Peterson of the Vikings, Devin Hester of the Bears and Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs of the Redskins. Autographed baseballs from the Red Sox and Rockies will be offered, too.
A number of other Packers players and staff are supporting the event, including A.J. Hawk, Daryn Colledge, Jon Ryan and strength and conditioning coordinator Rock Gullickson.
Registration for the ride will begin Saturday at 9 a.m. in the Lambeau Field parking lot near the Mills Fleet Farm Gate at the southwest corner of the stadium. Registration also is available at Vandervest Harley-Davidson in Peshtigo beginning at 9 a.m. A $15 donation per person is required to participate in the ride.
Riders are encouraged to enlist the help of others by utilizing a pledge form, a new element to this year's ride. The form is available on the ride's Web site at www.cruiseforcancer.org.
The ride will leave Lambeau Field promptly at 11 a.m. Packers players and personnel will be on hand to make appearances prior to the ride.
The first leg of the ride will lead to Vandervest Harley-Davidson in Peshtigo. Upon arrival in Peshtigo, food and beverage options, provided by Kroll's West, will be available for purchase. Music also will be provided for the gathering before riders head back to Green Bay.
More than $84,000 was raised in last year's Cruise for Cancer, an event that drew nearly 1,000 participants on more than 700 motorcycles. The money went to six local cancer support organizations to benefit cancer patients and their families. A total of more than $200,000 has been raised since the event's inception in 2004.
Additional information, including the ride route, can be found at www.cruiseforcancer.org.
