CANTON – This year’s Trooper Shawn Blanton Remembrance Ride, a motorcycle ride to honor Trooper Blanton and remember his ultimate sacrifice made 10 years ago, is set for Saturday, June 16.
“10 years has come and gone and many of us have experienced changes in our lives,” reflects First Sergeant Scott Smith, who worked alongside Trooper Blanton in Troop G, District 5, “but one thing is true, Shawn has never been forgotten and continues to positively impact so many lives today. I miss and love ya brother!”
This event will generously impact the lives of parents with an infant in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Mission Children’s Hospital with event proceeds supporting the Tye Blanton Foundation. The Tye Blanton Foundation was founded in 2009 memory of Trooper Blanton’s son Tye, who was born prematurely and called Mission Children’s Hospital’s NICU, “home” for his short life. Its mission is to support the unit and help keep parents afloat during their baby’s NICU stay.
The Trooper Shawn Blanton Remembrance Ride will begin at Unto These Hills Mountainside Theater in Cherokee, traveling through the Qualla Boundary over Soco Mountain into Maggie Valley and on to Canton. Adding a special touch to the day, riders will first pass the Shawn Blanton Emergency Operations Center and the bridge crossing the Oconaluftee River, both dedicated by the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians to honor Trooper Blanton. As the route approaches Canton, riders will then travel I-40 east, passing markers and bridges of fallen North Carolina State Troopers, Trooper Anthony G. Cogdill and Trooper Calvin E. Taylor before reaching the marker remembering the site of that fatal night, and exiting at the Trooper Shawn Blanton Bridge.
Bikers will end at Southern Porch in Canton to celebrate and enjoy live music, food and drinks with proceeds from the day, also going to support, the Tye Blanton Foundation. The day’s event is not for bike riders only; all are encouraged to come to the bike ride finale to welcome our bikers and wave as they reach their ending point and join to celebrate, honor and remember Trooper Blanton.
The Trooper Shawn Remembrance Ride is sponsored by Blue Ridge Motorcycling Magazine, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, Fred Anderson Nissan of Asheville, Town of Canton, Southern Porch Kitchen & Drink, Unto These Hills Mountainside Theatre and supported by Upcountry Brewing and 7 Clans Brewing.
Other opportunities to honor and remember Trooper Shawn Blanton include the June 15 Trooper Shawn Blanton Memorial Golf Tournament at Sequoyah National Golf Club.
Info: www.BlantonRemembranceRide.com
– Blanton Remembrance Ride release
