AVONDALE, N.L. — A host of community-minded organizations are joining forces for the Motor Palooza Concert and Show set for Eastbound Park on Sept. 21.
The one-day event is being held in support of Easter Seals Newfoundland and Labrador in its quest to fund several new bicycles for clients who use Easter Seals House on Mount Scio Road in St. John's. Any extra funds raised will go toward helping finish the park being built at that location.
“Our women’s group advocates and supports grassroot organizations,” said Dana Metcalfe, president of Women in Networking Kindness (WINK).
“Easter Seals has had its challenges this year with the big flood they experienced earlier this summer. I had an uncle who was hydrocephalic. We valued the importance of his mobility and went about making sure he had it. Unfortunately, he passed before his bike arrived, but that didn’t stop us from wanting to help others,’’ she added.
And then she met Mike James, the event co-ordinator for Eastbound Park.
She said his tireless and infectious attitude was all she needed and it was on.
“We love helping out wherever we can and this was a perfect fit for what we do here at Eastbound,’’ James said.
Motor Palooza was formed to help raise funds for Easter Seals NL to purchase two motor-assisted bicycles for participants of Easter Seals NL that will be loaned out through Linda’s Equipment Crossing Program, as well as to utilize during their summer camps.
This will give Easter Seals NL participants the freedom that all other children get to enjoy.
“We are really excited about it. This will be a fun event that will help raise enough money to get us two accessible bicycles,’’ said Jamie Buckingham, fund development co-ordinator for Easter Seals.
“These bikes are pricy and are hard to get. Also, if there are additional funds raised, it will go towards the accessible playground we are building, the most accessible park east of Montreal.’’
Motor Palooza is a concept event that involves an Auto Show ’n’ Shine, IHRA Drag Racing, Targa Newfoundland and Vinland Motorsports Autocross, NEW Evolution Wrestling and a live concert featuring headliner 21 Gun Salute (an AC/DC tribute band), The Navigators, Gimini and The Mics Rolling Stones tribute.
Activities get underway at noon with the IHRA Gamblers and Car Show, followed at 3 p.m. with NEW Evolution Pro Wrestling.
Targa Newfoundland and Vinland Motorsports Autocross will take centre stage at 3:45 p.m. and upon conclusion the concert portion of the day will get underway with The Mics Rolling Stones tribute taking the stage at 5:30 p.m., The Navigators at 6:45 p.m., Gimini at 8 p.m. and the night will wrap up with 21 Gun Salute taking the stage at 9:30 p.m.
All funds raised for Easter Seals NL will go to support persons of all ages with all disabilities living in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Tickets have been on sale since Tuesday and are $40 (including taxes and surcharge) for a full-day pass. They are available at all North Atlantic Orange Stores and online at www.eastboundpark.com.
