Neither snow nor sleet slow down the annual Smoky Mountain Toy Ride

On Saturday, Dec. 4, hundreds of motorcyclists lined up, decked their vehicles with toys and Christmas decorations, and rode to make sure local kids get visited by Santa Claus. Photographer Jerry Nelson captured the spirit. Riders were donating toys and cash for Eblen Charities, Saint Nicholas Project and the Asheville Optimist Club’s Santa Pal Partnership, just a few of the local organizations that help local families and children during the holidays. For more Nelson photos, go to his website.

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About Margaret Williams
Editor Margaret Williams first wrote for Xpress in 1994. An Alabama native, she has lived in Western North Carolina since 1987 and completed her Masters of Liberal Arts & Sciences from UNC-Asheville in 2016. Follow me @mvwilliams

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3 thoughts on “Neither snow nor sleet slow down the annual Smoky Mountain Toy Ride

  1. bobaloo

    In related news, the Buncombe County Sheriff’s department received hundreds of calls from a man complaining of “noise pollution from toy laden bikers”. Grant Millen was not available for comment.

  2. Viking

    These motorcycles can meet EPA noise pollution standards and they these ‘wonderful people’ can also be charitable at the same time. Children actually don’t need the noise pollution. A big part of these events is also PR to make bikers appear to the public as more valuable then they really are.

    The Sheriff, Chief Hogan, and almost all politicians defend the noise bullies and not kids when it comes to noise pollution. They are also individuals of low character when it comes to vehicular noise pollution.

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