Thousands of motorcyclists pass through southwestern Minnesota on the way to Sturgis, S.D., each year. Maybe some of them will think to return to our region this weekend.
There are two events worthy of participation and public attendance this weekend in Worthington and Luverne, respectively. The third annual Whiskey Ditch Motorcycle Rally will take place Friday through Sunday at Worthington's Pioneer Village and the fourth annual Remember Rally will be Saturday, starting at Sharkee's Sports Bar in Luverne.
The Whiskey Ditch Motorcycle Rally -- coupled this year with the second annual Rib Fest event -- is not a money-making venture. It's all about charity, and 100 percent of this year's proceeds from both the rally and Rib Fest will go toward the new Freedom Veterans' Memorial Park along Lake Okabena.
The Remember Rally, a national event organized locally by Diane Sherwood of Luverne, raises money to help Sept. 11 rescue workers who are combating health issues due to exposure to toxins and chemicals at the World Trade Center site. This year's Remember Rally -- scheduled earlier than usual to allow people to take part in events marking the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks -- will include stops several stops in Minnesota, Iowa and South Dakota communities.
While it does seem a bit unfortunate that both events are taking the place the same weekend, we certainly feel that both will attract plenty of folks to the area. It should also be stressed that both charitable causes are certainly worthy. Those participating in the Whiskey Ditch rally can always still donate to the Remember Rally, or vice versa. And, of course, one doesn't have to a Harley to support either the veterans' park or sick rescue workers.
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Worthington and Luverne may not be anything like Sturgis, but there will still be plenty of fun -- all in the spirit of lending a helping hand.
