After ten years we say goodbye to the Emily’ s Parade, an annual parade sponsored by the“ I Love U Guys” foundation for the past ten years. This parade has been a fixture in the motorcycle community of Colorado and the un-official end of the season ride. Each year thousands of motorcycles rumble into the parking lots of Columbine High School and ride up to the Platte Canyon High School to support the“ I Love U Guys Foundation”. It is always difficult to say goodbye to a long running event that becomes something of a fixture in the riding season so I will let John Michael’ s words do it for me.
The following is the official statement released by John Michael Keyes, the founder of the“ I Love U Guys” foundation.
“ To our volunteers, participants, friends and community we extend a huge thank you for ten remarkable parades. Emily’ s Parade began as a response to tragedy. But it immediately became a symbol of strength and community.
Organizing the Parade is also a very difficult task for both Ellen and me personally. Last October we asked The“ I Love U Guys” Foundation Board of Directors to make a difficult decision. We asked the Board to declare the 10th Annual Emily’ s Parade as the last one. It was a tough conversation. A tough decision. But I think the Board made the right decision.
Officially, the 2015 Emily’ s Parade and ER5K was the last Parade hosted by The“ I Love U Guys” Foundation.
26 Thunder Roads Magazine ® Colorado April 2016 www. thunderroadscolorado. com