When veterans from across the country converge on Highland for the Victory for Veterans Memorial Ride Sunday, Wicker Memorial Park will be ready to welcome them.
In its 27th year, few would’ve been surprised if the ride, which raises money strictly for veterans’ causes through a nonprofit fund, had to be postponed or canceled because of the storm damage from August 11. Groundskeepers with the North Township Trustee’s Office, however, have worked nonstop to make the park safe for the more than 1,800 riders expected, North Township Trustee’s Office Special Events Coordinator and Wicker Park Memorial Fund Board President Kelly Bridges said.
“It’s taken every bit of almost seven weeks since the storm to get ready for the ride,” Bridges said Monday. “With more than 350 trees lost in the park and significant damage to the fence lines around the golf course and the west perimeter, we are still working on getting information collected to get a total cost to repair.
“We’re just grateful there was very little structural damage to our buildings, but like all those in our communities, we were dealing with a power outage and loss of phones and internet for more than a week. We will be working continuously to get Wicker Memorial Park open as soon as it is safe to do so.”
The ride’s keynote speaker is Indiana Secretary of State Democratic candidate Beau Bayh, Bridges added, while the musical guest for after the ride is local band Big City. Monies raised through ticket sales will go toward Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana’s Veteran Build in Lake Station’s Riverwalk neighborhood as well as improvements to the Wicker Park Veterans Memorial.
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The ride itself will take the following route: Exit Wicker Memorial Park at Southwest Gate, then turn right (west) on Ridge Road to Calumet Avenue. Turn left (south) on Calumet Ave. to Route 30, then left (east) on Route 30 to Taft/Cleveland. Riders will then turn left (north) on Taft/Cleveland and head to Ridge Road, where they’ll turn left (west) and head back to Wicker Park, entering through the Main Gate.
Day-of, on-site registration for the 27th Annual Victory for Veterans Memorial Bike Ride will run from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Sunday, September 27 at Wicker Memorial Park, Ridge Road and Indianapolis Boulevard, with the police-escorted ride to start at around 10:30 a.m. Cost for the ride is $25 per individual or $40 per couple, and riders may preregister at victoryforveteranswickerpark.org. Anyone with questions should call 219-313-3934.
Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.