Christmas for Kids joins up with Get Your Kicks on Route 96 Rally to Tioga Downs

On Saturday, Sept. 23, the annual Get Your Kicks on Route 96 Rally will meet up at the Owego Soft Serve and proceed to the annual car and motorcycle show at Tioga Downs. This year the car rally will also be joined again by motorcyclists participating in the Christmas for Kids Ride, held in honor of John “Wah” Oleski – the former assistant director of the Binghamton HOG Chapter.

The cars will gather at the Owego Soft Serve, located on Route 96, at 10:30 a.m. to meet the Christmas for Kids Ride at Hickories Park at 11 a.m.

The Christmas for Kids Ride will depart Southern Tier Harley Davidson (STHD) located on Front Street in Binghamton at 10 a.m. Registration for the ride will begin at that location at 8 a.m. The $25 ride fee will buy toys for children this holiday season. Riders will also receive a ride t-shirt with their registration and Tioga Downs Casino incentives.

The escorted motorcycle ride will meet up with the cars at Hickories Park in Owego, and then the cars, in addition to the motorcycles, will depart at 11 a.m. and head to the “Cruisin’ at the Downs” event that is taking place at Tioga Downs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the infield track.

Registration for the car and motorcycle show at Tioga Downs is $15, and is free to spectators. For a pre-registration fee of $25, participants will also receive two tickets to the Tramps Like Us, Bruce Springsteen Tribute Concert at 7 p.m.

The Tioga Downs event will feature custom car and bike vendors, craft vendors, food trucks, and entertainment by Project Z Band from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Trophies will also be awarded, and voting will end at 3 p.m. Guests can purchase a ticket to vote for $1, with those proceeds benefiting the Christmas for Kids fundraising. From noon to 2 p.m., guests can also donate $5 to benefit Christmas for Kids or an unwrapped toy. Photos with Santa will also be available.

A Christmas Spirit Contest will also take place. Decorate your bike with a Christmas theme for a chance to win the Christmas Spirit Award at Tioga Downs.

Special to the Tioga Downs event is an appearance by Paul Teutul Sr. from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Auto Round-Up Magazine will also be in attendance with a tent, table, and free publications for all guests.

You can contact Erica Miller at (607) 425-1225 or email emiller@tiogadowns.com for more information on the Tioga Downs event.

As for the “Get Your Kicks on Route 96” Rally, participation for cars is free of charge, and those participating will have the option to register for the car show upon their arrival at Tioga Downs.

Motorcycles participating will register at STHD prior to their departure on the 40-mile ride.

According to Donald L Rauschmeier, from STHD, the Christmas for Kids ride has taken place for over 25 years, and has raised over $100,000 to benefit children in the area.

The ride, which is run by the Binghamton HOG Chapter and raises money for the Broome County Toys for Tots effort, was later named after John “Wah” Oleski – the former assistant director of the HOG Club. He passed away in 2013.

Continuing these efforts, the club plans to continue raising money to ensure that children in the area have gifts during the holidays.

Rhonda’s Rockabilly Pinup Girls will also be at the event this year with their models, which help the antique drivers take a step back in time with their vintage clothing and style.

To learn more about the Christmas for Kids ride, call (607) 773-0264. To learn more about the Route 96 Rally, call (607) 972-7027.