Hot rods, motorcycles and tractors, along with many other fun activities, will be featured during a first-time event Saturday in Ridgetown to benefit Chatham-Kent Hospice.
The East Kent Hot Rods for Hospice Fall Festival is organized by Ridge Runners East Kent, East Kent Vintage Equipment Club and the Ridgetown District Agricultural Society with proceeds going directly to Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation.
Organizers say the Ridgetown Fairgrounds with have a “jam-packed” schedule of events centering on a car show, tractor show and motorcycle show. There will also be children’s activities, live music, a pie auction, food trucks, vendors and a 50/50 draw.
“Hot Rods for Hospice is the result of passion from members of Ridge Runners East Kent who have had family, friends, and neighbors impacted by hospice,” said Emily Vollans, head of the planning committee, in the release.
“We know that Chatham-Kent shows up to support hospice and we wanted to make a positive impact in our community while supporting an amazing cause.”
Car and tractor show participants will be eligible to win door prizes. Kids can participate in a Hot Wheels race provided by the Lally Group, Nerf shooting gallery provided by CK-Expo, activities from Early On, as well as a corn pit, three-legged race and potato sack race.
“Community fundraisers play an important role in raising essential funds for the operation of hospice,” Jodi Maroney, executive director of Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation said in the release.
“We are grateful to be in a community that is so dedicated to supporting hospice and providing local families with the care they need in their grievance journey.”
The Chatham-Kent Hospice has cared for about 1,250 local families, offering compassionate, end-of-life care at no cost. This also includes care coordination as well as grievance and bereavement support.
The hospice not only cares for the resident, but offers support to family and friends as they say goodbye to their loved one, the release said.
Hospice relies on donations to cover expenses not covered by government funding. About 62 percent of the operating budget is covered by donations.