Kersting’s Cycle Center Annual Charity Event This Weekend

Kersting’s Cycle Center will be hosting their 10th annual charity event this weekend. The Motorcycle, Music and Memories event is a large celebration put on at the center for only one day, featuring live bands, food vendors, and a motorcycle ride in the afternoon. The event raises money for a number of charities, including the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Nella Kersting Memorial Scholarship.

Jim and Nella Kersting developed their love of motorcycles into a growing, successful family business over the span of 40 years. Nella tragically passed away in 2003 as the result of a two-vehicle crash in Pulaski County which also left Jim critically injured.

The first charity event was planned to be held in 2003 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Harley-Davidson, but when Nella passed away, the event evolved into something greater. The event now celebrates the anniversary of Harley-Davidson and the life of Nella Kersting, who is remembered through not only her family and friends, but also through a scholarship that was established in her name.

Jason Kersting explained the event this year still serves that double purpose.

“For our business, what we are actually doing is showing a great appreciation to our customers and everyone that we’d like to come out and celebrate the life of Nella Kersting and also the 110th anniversary this year of Harley Davidson,” said Kersting.

This year, the event will feature motorcycle street-bike stunt-riders who will be showing off unbelievable maneuvers in the parking lot, and four live bands will play throughout the day. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8.

Jason Kersting explained that this year, the main focus is the bands that will be providing entertainment. Category Five, Half Track, Junior and the Igniters, and the big-name band Shotgun Lucy will be performing. Kersting says Shotgun Lucy will be headlining the event, and the group consists of professional singer-songwriters that have played in a number of well-known bands, including Molly Hatchet, Dr. Hook, and Duran Duran.

The event takes place right outside the Kersting’s Cycle Center, and the cost is $5 at the gate. Nella Kersting Memorial t-shirts will also be on sale, as well as food and other vendors. All funds raised go to charity; the gate fees and others go to the Nella Kersting Scholarship fund, while ABATE will be hosting a beer garden to raise funds for Toys For Kids. The motorcycle ride will raise money for MDA.