OAKFIELD, Maine — The 10th annual “Mike and Heidi Memorial Ride, in memory of Mike Kitchen and Heidi Pratt, is scheduled for Saturday, July 15. Registration opens at 8 a.m. at the Oakfield Community Center. A safety briefing and presentations will be held at 9:45 a.m. Motorcycle riders are scheduled to leave at 10:15 a.m.
There is no registration fee. Participants can purchase a meal (hot dog, hamburger, salad, chips, drink) for $10. Lobster and steak will be available for $15 each.
Local antique car clubs are expected to participate, and will travel the same route as the motorcycles, except in opposite directions. This is a great opportunity for some people to experience riding in a vintage automobile, as most of them are very receptive to taking a passenger.
People not riding but wishing to walk to Mike & Heidi’s house lot will do so immediately after the bikes leave. Ken Bustard, president of M&H Community Fund explained, “This is the 10th anniversary of Mike and Heidi’s death, and will be the last ride, hence we have coined it ‘The Final Ride’; The Board of Directors all agree that after 10 years, plus Heidi’s sister Brenda now falling to cancer, it is a good time to leave a weekend open for another worthy cause.
“We are asking people to bring a donation for the Ark Animal Sanctuary in Houlton. This is where Mike and Heidi adopted their cat, Monkey. We believe Monkey perished in the fire that day, as he was never found. We have made past donations to the Ark in memory of Mike and Heidi. This annual event is a perfect opportunity to increase community awareness of the great work done at the Ark.”
Upon returning to the Oakfield Community Center following this year’s ride, participants can enjoy a hot meal of hot dogs and hamburgers, salads and desserts.We have added lobster and steak to the menu to make this final event a more memorable experience.
An auction will be held at 1 p.m. as well as drawing of raffle tickets toward prize baskets.
This year’s event marks the 10thh anniversary of Mike & Heidi’s premature death. “This 2023 event will be a celebration of sorts,” explained Bustard, “We will hopefully have the biggest auction ever, with incredible donations, to make that last push toward funding the scholarship endowment and other community projects. It will also be an opportunity to say thank you to the many riders who have been with us all 10 years.”
The Mike and Heidi Community Fund, a public charity nonprofit under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue code, is overseen by a board of directors. Board members include Heidi Pratt’s son, Paul Suiter of Portland. Additional board members are Joe and Becky McLaughlin of Limestone, Jerri Russell and Shannon Lloyd of Oakfield, Ken and Pearl Bustard of Bucksport and Jill Bustard of Merrill. Heidi’s sister, Brenda Hersey of Oakfield was a board member from the beginning, but unfortunately lost her struggle with cancer this past year.
Numerous individuals and businesses have supported this year’s event with monetary donations and sponsorship of raffle baskets
Anyone wishing more information, volunteering, or making an auction donation can contact Ken Bustard at 207-659-2018 or accountingcoach@gmail.com. Shannon Lloyd of Oakfield is also a contact person at 207-267-0480. The “Mike and Heidi Ride 2023” Facebook page is another way to make contact or get more information about the event.
