The 21st annual running of the Haywood County Motorcycle Parade and Toy Run will be held Saturday, Nov. 10, beginning in downtown Canton at the Town Hall. Registration opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 11:45 a.m., with the assembled riders beginning to move under police escort at noon.

The MC Parade and Toy Run provides new toys to deserving children in Haywood. All proceeds remain in Haywood County and serve Haywood children. In addition to the toys, cash donations are accepted by parade motorcyclists and other interested persons.  In the previous 20 years, more than $128,000 dollars have been distributed by the motorcyclists to various helping agencies in Haywood County.

All toys are distributed through a joint effort of Haywood County Department of Social Services, the Salvation Army, and Haywood Christian Ministries. Cash awards are made to non-profit agencies in Haywood that serve children. Through the years, KARE, REACH, The Open Door, and others have received donations to help serve children, who might otherwise not enjoy Christmas. Applications for proceeds from the parade are handled through the Haywood County Department of Social Services.  Donations from non-parade participants may be mailed to: Haywood County Toy Run, c/o Cecil Yount, 160 Bethel View Heights, Waynesville, NC 28786.

The route will take riders through rural southern Haywood County as the group travels on N.C. 110 to Bethel and then turns toward Waynesville on U.S. 276. After turning on Main Street in Waynesville, the parade will continue to Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie, where curator Dale Walksler will host the end of the parade for the 11th consecutive time.

Live music will be provided by Moonshine Jam and registered participants will enjoy the always delicious offerings of Chef Dicky King and his Cookin’ Crew. Walksler will give away the museum’s annual bike as part of the day’s festivities. Registration for the event remains unchanged at $10 per person per bike or a new unwrapped toy of equal or more value. A release of liability must be signed by all participants and helmets are required during the parade travel.

Residents along the parade route should be prepared for time delays of up to 30 minutes as the parade moves through the local areas.  For information on the event, call 648-7300.