Brenden's Ride returns after 7-year COVID break

Brenden's Ride is hitting the road again after a seven-year hiatus, returning to honour the legacy of co-founder Baron Parker, the former NHL linesman who passed away last year.

The charity motorcycle and car ride — officially Brenden's Ride for Easter Seals — starts July 18 at Rusty's Pub in Clover Square Village and heads to Easter Seals Camp Squamish in Brackendale. The event kicked off in 2014 when Brenden Parker, who has cerebral palsy, noticed fewer of his friends returning to camp each summer because families couldn't afford the fees. He and his dad Baron started the ride to raise money so kids with disabilities could attend.

The ride ran for six consecutive years before COVID shut it down in 2020. Marcia McNaughton, on the board of directors, said restarting this year is emotional. "It's going to be tough on everybody because he and Brenden worked their butts off every year for this," she said. "It was one of their big loves and one of their big things to do together. So it's definitely going to be bittersweet, but everyone's going to ride in honor of Baron."

Registration opens at 8 a.m. with breakfast at Rusty's, followed by the ride to Brackendale. At camp, riders will enjoy lunch, a live band, silent auction, 50/50 draw, and more. Registration costs $40, and all proceeds — from registration, auctions, raffles, and donations — go directly to help get kids to camp. The organizers are also seeking corporate sponsorships.

Anyone interested can register at brendensride.ca, email brendensride@gmail.com, call 604-910-1180, or visit Facebook.com/brendensride.