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12th annual Ride 2 Provide to benefit Markle blacksmith

Mark Thomas, shown in his blacksmith shop at the Forks of the Wabash Pioneer Festival in 2013, will be the beneficiary of this year’s Ride 2 Provide on Aug. 19 in Warren. In addition to a motorcycle ride, the day-long event at Markle Park features a silent auction, games and activities and a pulled pork dinner.
Mark Thomas, shown in his blacksmith shop at the Forks of the Wabash Pioneer Festival in 2013, will be the beneficiary of this year’s Ride 2 Provide on Aug. 19 in Warren. In addition to a motorcycle ride, the day-long event at Markle Park features a silent auction, games and activities and a pulled pork dinner. Photo provided.

The 12th annual Ride 2 Provide will be held Saturday, Aug. 19, at Markle Park.

The centerpiece of the event is a motorcycle ride that takes off at 12:10 p.m., with the last bike returning to Markle Park at 4:30 p.m.

The park will be the site of games, food and an auction throughout the day, and those events are open to riders and non-riders alike.

Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit Mark Thomas.

Thomas, a Markle-area resident, has been blacksmithing since 1997 and went full-time in 2003, making and selling items through his business, MT Forge. He sets up his blacksmithing shop at rendezvous and re-enactments throughout the area and has been a frequent participant in Huntington’s Forks of the Wabash Pioneer Festival.

Last fall, while blacksmithing at the Trail of Courage Living History Festival in Rochester, Thomas suffered a heart attack. He had six-bypass surgery and, shortly after that, knee replacement surgery. He has been unable to return to full production in his blacksmith shop, which has reduced the amount of inventory available to sell at festivals.

Thomas is a member of the Indiana Blacksmith Association, which will demonstrate the art of blacksmithing starting about 11 a.m. at Markle Park. Some of the wares will be available for purchase.

MT Forge has provided a tripod, adjustable trammel hook and 12-quart Dutch oven that will be sold during the Ride 2 Provide silent auction on Aug. 19. The auction starts at 4 p.m. and the last bids will be accepted at 6 p.m.

Some of the items featured in the auction are an airplane ride, insulated bags, gift cards, basket of hair supplies, electric guitar, rounds of golf at Etna Acres and Green Valley golf clubs, barn quilts, a picnic table, portable stereo, Shark Rocket sweeper, battery charger, Colts tickets, porch swing, wishing well yard decoration, purses, a half hog and processing and more.

For information about the auction, contact Angenette Reed at 438-7539.

Cookies & Canvas, a painting event sponsored by Muddy Feet Preschool, is limited to 30 students ages 5 through 12. The event is free, thanks to a donation from Worster Family Farms. Cookies & Canvas will take place from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. To reserve a spot, call Jen Bailey at 414-1066 or Apryl Goeglein at 414-3062.

Bingo also gets underway at 2 p.m. and lasts until 4 p.m. For information, call Dixie Oldham at 758-3394.

A double elimination cornhole tourney starts at 4 p.m. Teams must be made up of two people, and an entry fee is charged. The top three teams will receive cash prizes. To enter the tournament, call Karen Jeffers at 224-3540.

The day will end with a benefit meal, featuring pulled pork prepared by Fat John’s, starting at 4 p.m. Carryouts are available. The cost of the meal is a free will donation.

Events throughout the day will include raffles, bake sale, door prizes, 50/50 drawing, dunk tank, face painting, cake walk and bounce house.

Anyone bringing a canned good to Ride 2 Provide will receive a free raffle ticket for a $55 gas card donated by Markle Quick Stop. There’s a limit of five tickets per person. All canned goods will be donated to local food pantries.

Those unable to take part may send donations to Ride 2 Provide, 3398 E. Markle Rd., Huntington, IN 46750 or call Lesa Asher at 758-3437.