Strides for CJD holding Fall Fest Saturday in Johnsonburg

A fun, family-friendly event held by Strides for CJD is set to take place in Johnsonburg this weekend to raise funds for the CreutzfeldtJakob Disease (CJD) Foundation, Inc.

Strides for CJD will be holding a Fall Fest on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Johnsonburg Community Center, and several special activities are planned in conjunction with the event. This includes an antique truck and car cruise in from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., a little tykes bike cruise in from noon to 2 p.m., and live chainsaw carving from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Cruise In For A Cure antique truck and car cruise in will be taking place on Market Street.

“Anybody with an antique car can bring their cars on over,” said Kim (Lamari) Kerchinski, coorganizer of the event.

To give youngsters a way to get involved, the Little Tykes Bikes & Trikes Cruise In will be held at the community center for children eight years old and younger.

“Little kids eight and under can decorate their bikes and bring them over to the community center. We’ll be outside. They can have a chance to win a prize,” Kerchinski said.

Kerchinski noted that youngsters are welcome to decorate and enter their bikes, trikes, Power Wheels, four wheelers, peddle cars, and ride ons. There is no registration fee. Voting will be done by donation, and prizes will be awarded to the top three winners.

The live chainsaw carving will also feature an auction to further benefit the CJD Foundation.

There will also be a basket raffle, and Kerchinski shared that they have “a large variety of amazing baskets” that attendees will be able to purchase chances to try to win.

A craft show will also be taking place, along with activities for children.

There will also be a pre-event taking place at 10 a.m. with anyone interested in participating having the opportunity to join in a walk around the track in memory of individuals who lost their lives to CJD, including Kerchinski’s brother Frank Lamari Jr., Dr. Raj Jolly, and Jan Patton-Werneth.

Kerchinski explained that CJD is a rare, rapidly progressive neurodegenerative brain disease that is always fatal and has no treatment or cure. The funds generated by events such as Saturday’s Fall Fest help fund research and education.

“It’s a fundraiser,” Kerchinski said of Saturday’s Fall Fest, “but we, Frank’s family, wanted to make it a community event. Johnsonburg is our hometown, and we just thought it was fitting that we would go back to Johnsonburg to have this event.”

Kerchinski encouraged community members of all ages to stop by the event on Saturday.

“The biggest thing for us, as a family, is we want it to be a family event,” Kerchinski said. “It’s going to be a nice fall day. Come on out. There are lots of games for the kids to play, and it’s a fundraiser for this disease.”

For additional information, Kerchinski can be contacted by calling 814-594-5671.