“We hope it stays as successful as previous years,” says Barry Jerley, event organizer. “We had a lot of support from businesses, organizations and individuals to make sure the run didn’t go away. Without the charitable donations of the community this event would not have happened this year.”

The ride occurring Saturday, September 12th, 2009 draws thousands of riders to the Johnstown, PA area, beginning days in advance. To accommodate, organizers provide camping at Windber Recreation Park (click here for a map), the location of the run’s after party. Each site includes access public restrooms with shower facilities through Saturday morning. Pricing for campsites is:

• $10 for tents
• $25 for Campers
• $30 for RVs/Motorhomes

The fun covers the entire weekend, beginning Friday night with pre-registration in downtown Windber, PA. Riders can register at the Windber Community Building (click here for a map) and enjoy live music entertainment by Ole 97 Cash, a Johnny Cash Tribute band.

Registration is $20 per person and includes participation in the run and admission to the after party.

Registration continues Saturday morning until the ride kicks off at 1:00PM with a parade of bikes through the Windber community. Riders then set off on a journey through some of the most attractive motorcycling terrain anyone could ask for, with three organized stops along the route, and ending at Windber Recreation Park for an all-night after party. The party is open to non-riders as well and everyone must be over 21. Admission is $20 per person and includes all you can eat food and drink provisions, plus a full night of live entertainment, including performances by:

• The Characters
• Split Image
• Paint Creek Pickers,
• Southern Steel
• Better Days
• Night Train

Windber Rumbles is fun for riders and a great cause. “It pumps a lot of good will into our community,” says Mr. Jerley. “We hope it lasts another 20 years.”

We at Do Johnstown! tip our hat (er… helmets) to the original six Dog Run riders-Mike Hunter, Joseph Pallo, Jeffery Gentile, Joseph King, David King and James Sullivan-for creating one of the best events the Johnstown area has to offer.

A collection of photographs from previous years’ runs are available at the Do Johnstown! Flickr photostream.

More information about Windber Rumbles is available at www.windberrumbles.com.