Published: June 08, 2009 11:49 pm      

Motorcycles will ‘rumble’ through Windber in Sept.

WINDBER — The Dog Run will live on as Windber Rumbles, providing the same fun and raising money for the same causes.

“Everything is going to be run just like the Dog Run,” longtime Dog Run committee member Barry Jerley said.

The final Dog Run was held Sept. 6.

The first Windber Rumbles will rev up on Sept. 12.

Donations in the hundreds of thousands have been pumped into the Windber community since the first Dog Run was held in 1989.

That’s when six motorcyclists who called themselves The Dogs decided to ask a few friends to join them for a ride and raise a few bucks. Two of the surviving Dogs, Mike Hunter and Joe Pallo, continued to spearhead the annual event each year on the weekend after Labor Day.

Lately, the three have been ready to move out of the leadership, but reluctant to turn over the throttle to those outside their original circle.

“They just didn’t want to be involved and do all the grunt work,” Jerley said. “If somebody wanted to have a run that day for Windber: Go ahead and run with it. Windber is what they are all about.”

Windber Rumbles will rely on the Dog Run’s history.

“Their legacy is what has carried this on so long,” Jerley said.

Several sponsors are ready to underwrite possible losses for this year’s event, Jerley said. He expects to announce sponsors and more details next week.

Jerley said he will be at today’s Borough Council meeting to begin arrangements to use Windber Recreation Park for this year’s event.

Council is working on its own Windber Rumbles event for June 26 and 27 as part of Thunder in the Valley.

Events include StarBoyz Stunt Riding Team performances, a block party, mini bike parade and children’s activities.

Councilman James Furmanchik, a longtime Dog Run leader, is organizing the borough-sponsored event. He is not worried about sharing the name.

“I’m sure it will all be to the good,” Furmanchik said. “Volunteerism is alive in Windber.

“We all know how to work together to have a successful event.”