Hammond Hosts the Dutch Battle Memorial Ride and Cook Off

Cate Street in downtown Hammond will be the place to be on September 26, 2009 from 8:30 am to 3 pm for the 3rd annual Dutch Battle Memorial Ride and Cook Off.  Raffle tickets and gumbo will be sold at the event.  All funds raised at this family day event will be donated to motorcycle safety awareness.
 
The Dutch Battle Memorial Chapter of the Motorcycle Awareness Campaign will sponsor the event that includes a gumbo cook off.  The cook off includes vendor booths, great food, dance team performances, live music, face painting and a vintage bike display.  A photographer will also be on hand to take pictures of children with some of the motorcycles that will be displayed at the event.  The Livingston Parish Sheriff's Department will perform motorcycle safety demonstrations.
 
The Louisiana State Police will escort over 200 riders along an 82-mile route for the memorial ride which will leave Hammond at 9:30 am.  The goal of the event is to make drivers of automobiles more conscious of motorcycle riders and to make riders more safety conscious so that everyone can get back to their homes and families safely.  Raffle tickets will be sold for $5 each.
 
There is still room for riders and competition riders.  The cost is $20.  Each rider will be given a raffle ticket and a bowl of gumbo for their meal.  Those interested in learning more can call 985-386-6191 or 225-567-1475.
 
Raffle Prizes:
Grand Prize: Honda Metropolitan motor scooter
Gift Certificates from various businesses
Necklace donated by Guzzardo's
Note: winners will be notified.  You do not have to be present in order to win a prize.

The memorial ride will be held in memory of Dutch Battle, a former resident.  Dutch was riding his motorcycle when he was hit by an automobile and killed.  Dutch was returning to his Summit, Mississippi home when the accident occurred.  Dutch Battle served aboard the USS Ponchatoula during the Vietnam conflict.  Dutch is remembered by many in the Ponchatoula area as an insurance agent and others remember him for his involvement in our local theater.  I hope to see you at this event.