The Great Lemonaide Ride and the Lemonaide Pageant are all set to start today at 1 p.m., with the Hillbilly Lemonaide Ball itself scheduled for 5 to 9 p.m.
These events will benefit the ride of Kenny Herriot, who will be handcycling from San Francisco to New York City to raise money for research on childhood cancer.
Penne English, an organizer for all the events, said about 50 riders have made a commitment for the Great Lemonaide Ride, and a few girls have shown interest in participating in the pageant.
“We’ve already raised $5,000 for the trip for fuel expenses, and another major sponsor has donated all of the bottled water he’ll need for the trip,” English said.
Money raised by Herriot’s handcycling ride across the nation will also go to benefit the Alexis Lemonade Stand Foundation, and English said she’ll be filming a documentary of the ride along the way.
A motorcycle ride will kick off today’s festivities at Street Chrome USA located at 4707 Martha Berry Highway starting at 1 p.m., with registration costing $35 per motorcycle including free admission to the ball. Registration for the ride can be completed at Street Chrome USA.
Tickets for the Hillbilly Lemonaide Ball being held at The Forum in downtown Rome from 5 to 9 p.m. are $25, and includes the cost of food consisting of all-you-can-eat barbecue sandwiches and Brunswick stew and drinks. Alcohol will be provided at the ball but will cost patrons extra.
The Alexis Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer, started by Alexandra Scott when she was four years old and opened a lemonade stand in July of 2000 to help raise money for research to find a cure for cancer.
Alexandra died four years after her long battle with cancer, but she was able to raise $1 million in her short lifetime.
The foundation lives on and is committed to eradicating childhood cancer, the No. 1 killer of children in the United States.
If You Go
The Hillbilly Lemonaide Ball
When: Today, 5 to 9 p.m.
Where: The Forum in downtown Rome
Cost: $25, food included in ticket price
The Great Lemonaide Ride
When: Today, 1 to 3 p.m.
Where: Street Chrome USA at 4707 Martha Berry Highway to the Forum in downtown Rome
Cost: $35 per motorcycle, includes free admission to the Hillbilly Lemonaide Ball
