With Veterans day only a few weeks away, Haralson County residents will have an opportunity to help support their local veterans and celebrate freedoms they have fought for by participating in the Haralson County Veterans fourth annual Freedom Ride.

The Freedom Ride is being sponsored by the Veterans Ladies Auxiliary and the Freedom Ride Committee, with all proceeds going to the maintenance and upkeep of the Haralson County Veterans Memorial Park in Tallapoosa. The event is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 8, with registration beginning at 9 a.m. and the ride starting at Veterans Memorial Park at 10:30 a.m. The event’s organizers have scheduled Saturday, Nov. 15, as the Freedom Ride’s rain date in the event of poor weather on Nov. 8.

The Haralson County Middle School Band will show their support and recognition of veterans with a musical performance that begins at 9 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park.

The ride begins at Veterans Memorial Park and covers 80 miles before ending at Helton Howland Park in Tallapoosa. In recognition of the importance of the event, the riders will be given a police escort for the length of the ride. Riders are encouraged to start the ride with a full tank of gas, as no fuel stops are planned.

Registration for the ride costs $25 per bike and $10 per additional rider. Because all the proceeds from the event go to support the Veterans Memorial Park, the registration fees are all tax deductible. Everyone who registers will also receive a free T-shirt, an American flag and a lunch.

There will also be the second annual 5K Freedom Run and 1 Mile Fun Run Saturday morning beginning at 8 a.m. in downtown Tallapoosa. Registration will begin at 7 a.m. All proceeds from the run will go toward the Haralson County Veterans Association Scholarship program, which awards scholarships to local high school students who show exemplary citizenship, leadership and academics.

According to Ely Elephante of the Haralson County Veterans Association, the group awarded scholarships to 11 high school students last year.

“This is a great opportunity to exercise and provide scholarships for outstanding high school students,” Elephante said.

Immediately after the Freedom Ride ends at Helton Howland Park, the Veterans Day parade will begin. Leading the parade will be the Haralson County Veterans Association and students from the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Core. The parade will also feature the Haralson County Rebel Band. The parade’s organizers have invited all civic groups, social clubs, churches, schools and individuals to attend the event and show veterans that they have not been forgotten.

The parade honoring the veterans and the sacrifices they have made has gotten bigger each year, but there is still plenty of room for more local residents to come and participate.

Riders seeking more information about the event can call 770-646-9770.