A large group of bikers made their final SummerFest on the Rio Poker Run stop at the Veterans Community Living Center at Homelake. 

MONTE VISTA— Motorcycles and their riders revved their engines in Monte Vista and Alamosa over the weekend. In Monte Vista bikers made their way into town for the Second Annual Thunder in the Valley Motorcycle Rally. In Alamosa bikers participated in a poker run as part of the fun filled SummerFest on the Rio. With both occasions the bikers made a difference in the lives of the San Luis Valley’s veterans.

A very large group of riders participating in SummerFest on the Rio’s Poker Run made their final stop at the Veterans Community Living Center at Homelake on Saturday afternoon. Residents of Homelake were escorted outside by the center’s staff to see the bikes roll into the property. Some of the bikers took the time to chat with the residents, pose for photos and thank them for their service to the United States.

Each year SummerFest on the Rio’s Poker Run raises money to benefit the local community. This year the Veterans Community Living Center at Homelake was chosen, and all proceeds will go towards helping residents with daily ancillary needs. The riders also enjoyed a beautiful journey through Colorado that took them from Alamosa to Antonito, Chama, Pagosa Springs, South Fork, Monte Vista and back.

Not to be outdone, Brother’s Keepers Motorcycle Club (BKMC) made the Second Annual Thunder in the Valley an all-day event at Ski Hi Park in Monte Vista. The proceeds from the event also benefited veterans and will to be donated to the Veterans Coalition of the SLV.

BKMC is made up of active or retired firefighters in the San Luis Valley region. As a 501(c)(3) NPO and members of the national BKMC Organization, one of the functions of clubs is to find a worthy community program for a fundraising project. BKMC’s San Luis Valley Chapter has approved the association of working with the Veterans Coalition of the San Luis Valley, a local organization helping Valley veterans.

Thunder in the Valley was attended by many locals throughout the day on Saturday, and many bikers also stopped by to enjoy some of the food vendors, arts and craft vendors and live DJ during the day. In the night the festivities hopped up as Old School band played live for many dancers. Representative Scott Tipton was also spotted admiring the event and the bikes during the day.