FARMINGTON – The 10th annual ATV Toys for Tots Run will take place Saturday, Sept. 27, rain or shine. The ride, which will go from Farmington to Canton and back to Jay, is sponsored by the Western Maine ATV, Canton Trail Riders, the Mountain View ATV and the Brettun’s Wheelers ATV Clubs.

Participants are asked to bring a new unwrapped toy (protected from dust) or a cash donation. Organizers are asking that toys purchased by the riders not be too expensive.

“This is one of the ways that we can give back to the communities,” said Karen Dalot, secretary of Western Maine ATV Club. “This is going to be a hard winter and if we can help put a little joy under the Christmas tree that is what it’s all about.”

“We have had some very big-hearted people donate some very expensive toys. They mean well, but the Santa’s helpers who deliver the toys in the area can’t bring a really expensive toy to one child, while the other gets a teddy bear or other small item. Every year we have been able to find some really nice toys in the $15 to $25 range,” said Dalot.

Those going should meet at McDonald’s parking lot in Jay at 7:30 a.m. or at the end of Whistle Stop Trail on Town Farm Road in Farmington at 9 a.m. Registration will be from 8 to 9:45 a.m. There will be volunteers in neon green safety shirts on ATVs and on foot who will be available to answer questions.

Meal tickets will be handed out in Farmington when riders register for the run. Anyone not producing a meal ticket must go to the end of the line. The meal tickets help the barbecue chefs plan the number of hamburgers and hot dogs needed.

The group will leave Farmington at 10 a.m. to ride to Canton, where they will leave the toys in the hands of volunteers from Western Maine Community Action, then on to Jay for a barbecue. Traffic control will be provided by the local police and fire departments.

There will be a 50/50 raffle, a free barbecue and local dealer displays. Santa’s Fun Tickets will be on sale for $5 each. Raffle tickets will be sold in Farmington, Canton and Jay, and the winners will be announced in Jay.

Local merchants have donated goods and gift certificates for the raffles.

Webb River Riders of Carthage donated money for two portable toilets to be placed at the beginning of the trail. The Carthage club will sell coffee and doughnuts before the ride begins in Farmington. Canton Trail Riders pitched in for the other portable toilets that will be placed in Canton and Jay.

“This ride gets bigger and better every year,” said Bob Dalot, president of the Western Maine ATV Club. “We started with our club and a handful of ATVs; this year we have four clubs helping. We are pretty sure that we’ll have at least one more club next year.”

Last year there were 600 riders who raised $10,731 in cash and toys for the community. Any toys donated will remain in the area.

For more information, call Bob Dalot at 897-2926, Chris Currier at 441-5090, Brian Jordan at 597-2700 or Rene Grondin at 897-5501.