Labor Day weekend for Stocking Full of Love fundraiser

Event

As fall looms around the corner and students return to school, the last holiday weekend of summer will be celebrated in traditional Labor Day style in Walker County. The Stocking Full of Love will quite literally roll though Walker County on Sunday, Sept. 2, with a motorcycle run. The 12th annual “Santa’s Poker Run” will begin at the Walker County Civic Center with registration at 11:30 a.m. and the bikes will depart between 12:30-1:30 p.m. Motorcyclists that enter the $25 poker draw will receive a T-shirt and barbecue sandwich meal. Each additional hand will be $5 to increase their odds. Trophies will be given for oldest rider, best club participant, best hand and a few other surprise categories, along with a 50-50 drawing and door prizes after returning to the Civic Center by 4 p.m. All funds raised benefit the Al Millard Memorial Stocking Full of Love (est. 1989), which distributed toys to more than 1,800 children dur- ing Christmas last year. Many of the attendees bring new toys to contribute for those less-fortunate children. The following day, Monday, Sept. 3, will increase the number of wheels and participants with the Labor Day Car and Motorcycle Show, a free event open to the public at the Civic Center. Hotrods, Harleys and all other vehicles will register from 8-11:30 a.m. with a tasty biscuit-andgravy breakfast. There will be antique tractor and NASCAR displays, and dozens of trophies to be awarded to vehicles in a wide range of categories. A 1946 Willys Jeep will be raffled by the Northwest Georgia Chapter 12 Vietnam Veterans Alliance. Kids will also want to tour the Lifeforce helicopter that will be on display. The festivities will end with the 20th annual Sock Hop. Despite a recent near-death experience, radio legend and SFOL volunteer Tommy Jett plans to attend. It will be $5 per person, $3 for kids and children under age 3 are free. Paul Smith and the Bourbon Street Band will play ‘50-60s classic rock-and-roll and Jimmy Tawater of the Chattanooga All-stars will jam on stage. Gene Coleman will emcee the event. Awards will be given for the best dressed, best twist and a hula-hoop contest and other door prizes.