History

2001 was a great year for the 17th annual Port Alberni Toy Run. Our run has become one of the best-attended and fun events of the summer. We saw approximately 600 plus bikes and the sun couldn’t have shone brighter. Many riders were able to enjoy the breakfast the Fanny Bay Inn put on (and donated the proceeds to us) before they head down island. This also, is an annual event. The ride in from Little Qualicum Falls was uneventful but exciting as the people of Port Alberni rallied round and came out to cheer on this wonderful parade of bikes. Santa led the parade behind the DARE car escort into town, where the police escort took over. Arriving at Glenwood is always exciting – right away the children’s events began, the beer gardens and the Show N’ Shine began as we gave everyone time to look around, fill up on the chilli and dogs, shop for T-shirts, etc. while we got ready for the adult bike games. The afternoon passed quickly with the winners of the Show N’ Shine being announced. The list of winners was as follows: Best American Bike was Tony Bryant from Quadra Island; Farthest Rider – Marj Rex from Bellingham, Washington; Best Oldest Bike was a ’36 HD owned by Dave Young of Burnaby; Santa’s Choice was a bike registered by Mike Burrows; Best Rat Bike was Herbie Cunningham known as “Herbie Two Hawgs”. If you are just reading this and haven’t claimed your trophy, please do so before you leave this year. The dance was well attended. The music by Howie and the Hot Rods and The Fly Bye Feelers was great – attested by the fact that the dance floor was always packed. We had a good turn out for the Shriner’s Pancake Breakfast and the Poker Run wound up at the Arlington Hotel. There the Island Express and numerous attendees entertained us while the raffles were being held. The best Poker Hand won $650 and the Arlington raffled off a man’s leather vest and again donated the proceeds to the Toy Run. Helped out by Dan and Val’s (Arlington owners) generous donation of our beer served for our beer garden and dance we had a great year.

All thanks to our riders and fellow townsmen who so generously donate. We never forget that this wonderful weekend of events, that literally begin to form for next year’s event as soon as this one ends, is put on by a dedicated group of people, supported by a wonderful array of businesses and more people and is done “For the Kids”. Thanks to you one and all. 

1999 was another successful Toy Run, and being our 15th anniversary, it was special to us. There was a record number of bikes - so much so, that we lost count somewhere over the 500 mark. We had our usual parade, headed by Gerald Janssen, watched over by Ace Flagging, and enjoyed by many onlookers. The sight around Harbour Quay was awesome as the bikes went around the fountain and headed up Argyle Street. With our many activities beginning with our information days at Quality Foods and Canadian Tire, we kept busy throughout the year. Our booth at the Kart Races was most popular and for the first time, following the Fall Fair Parade, we had a booth at the Fair itself. Our free raffles were popular and we had many visitors stop to chat. Our president, Scot Loudon, spent an afternoon in ‘jail’ raising money for the Kuu-Us-Crisis Line and in return, they held a thank-you luncheon for the city that we attended. The weather was great for the Bike Games, participation was good and while these were happening, the children were being fed and entertained inside. We had a record year for daytime attendance and CJAV was on the spot, adding to the festivities. Our dance featured Howie and the Hot Rods and Rocket “88”. Both bands offered great dancing, the Navy League tended the bar, and Fir Park Village offered their bus and a driver for our Designated Driver Program. Our raffle was a winner for Lynn McKay who took home first prize of the Harley rocker, donated and built at the High School Woodworking program. This year the builder was Tyler Schwartz. Second prize was a cedar chest built and donated by Nobby’s Wooden Toys. Tami Matheson took that home and Geraldine Carter took home one ceramic plate while Ron Williams won the other. Pete Pelletier, along with wife Colleen, spent the day watching a pig cook to perfection on his giant grill. This was ready about 9:30 p.m. as the dance was under way. The response to this ‘pig in a bun’ was overwhelming and by midnight every scrap was gone. The morning after Shriner’s Breakfast was very well attended, after which 125 riders took part in the Poker Run, finishing up at the Arlington Hotel for an afternoon of prizes and entertainment provided by Island Express. Closer to Christmas, we also hosted a free movie matinee for the kids as well as a free afternoon of roller blading. We hope to make these events an annual affair. Our fundraising efforts paid off as local merchants, citizens and our out-of-town guests were very generous. After all was said and done, we had close to $20,000 for distribution and two large truck loads of toys. Once again we added to our hospital fund, bringing that total up to $15,000 which we will use to supply and decorate the children’s waiting lounge of the new hospital. The Bread of Life, Boy Scouts, Big Brothers/Sisters, Dry Grad, P.A. Bandits, Community Kitchens and Outreach Therapy are some of the beneficiaries of our donations. The past three years we have contributed close to $50,000 in monies, as well as food for Christmas hampers and toys for the children of the valley. We have to thank our loyal riders who show up year after year, bringing their welcome presence, distributing their wealth into our local hotels and restaurants and being part of this great event.