Leslie W. Watson Memorial Toy Run

39TH ANNUAL LESLIE W. WATSON MEMORIAL TOY RUN

Damn Covid! One of every years best parties had to be scaled WAY down due to the Covid restrictions. In a normal year, Bikers Who Care (BWC) holds the largest toy run in Tennessee and a three day party. Again, normally there would be two stages with music, bike show, biker games, drag racing, lots of vendors and food trucks and the famous Animal House Stage with its mustache, beard, tattoo, and burlesque contests and free beer. Nope, not this year. Due to restrictions the event was limited to the toy run and an after party at Appleton Harley-Davidson.

Leslie Watson, Sr. was the first Harley dealer in Clarksville and was known for his generosity and caring. At 1 pm on September 19th, an estimated 1,500 bikes left Liberty Park led by Leslie (Booger) Watson, Jr. on his dads ’41 Knucklehead and rode through downtown Clarksville before arriving at Appleton’s. Basically, Tia, Danny, and Mary Rose turned over the dealership to BWC for the day. Music boomed from the stage, food and drinks were available, cash donations were collected while Clarksville firemen collected the toys.

LESLIE W. WATSON MEMORIAL TOY RUN

BWC is first and foremost a group of bikers dedicated to helping children having physical or mental issues, as well as having a good time in the process. Each year the club donates an average of over $100,000 to Dream Factory and their Camp Rainbow, Buddy Ball, Middle Tennessee Children’s Hospitals, and other child related charities. They are highly respected by the community as was demonstrated by the Mayor when the route was blocked by construction immediately before the toy run and he ordered it be reopened for the ride. They are worthy of your support also. Check out their website www.bikerswhocare. org or watch Thunder Roads Magazine Tennessee for upcoming events put on by BWC. If you missed the toy run but want to help out with the lost revenues for these great charities, I suggest donations be mailed to BWC, PO Box 1253, Clarksville, TN, 37041-1253, with Toy Run in the For: line. I know they would be grateful. Thanks to the sponsors, especially the folks at Appleton Harley-Davidson for assisting in this great event. I think the world of these guys and all they do.

Ride safe and Have Fun!! Cooper