Bike ride to benefit Hemet Grad Night
Bicycle rides of 55 and 20 miles through the San Jacinto Valley will take place Saturday, Sept. 7 as a fundraiser for Hemet High School Grad Night. The ride will begin at 8 a.m. at the Farmers Market near the Hemet Public Library on Latham Avenue. The poker rides will award $100 in cash for the best hand, $75 for second-best hand, $50 for third-best and $25 for the worst hand. The entry fee is $45 for the 55-mile ride and $35 for the 20-mile ride, which includes lunch. People can register up until the morning of the ride. All proceeds benefit the Hemet Grad Night celebration. The Grad Night committee was created in 1988 by Hemet High School parents concerned about the safety of students, and who wanted to create an alcohol and drugfree venue for Hemet High seniors on graduation night. The all-night celebration is held at the high school. Graduates check in beginning at 9 p.m. and leave about 4 a.m. the following day. Students pay a nominal charge to attend the celebration. Scholarships are offered to those who wish to attend but are not able to afford it. All activities, food, games and other entertainment are free to the graduates. Grad Night is hosted by parents and community members who volunteer to staff booths, serve food and coordinate and hire entertainment. The budget ranges from $25,000 to $35,000 per year, which all comes from donations and fundraisers, which include the annual potato bake and silent auction, sales of grad night merchandise and reserved seating in the Ramona Bowl for the graduation ceremony. For information or to register, go to www.hemetgrad night.com , call (951) 468-0447 or look on Facebook for “HHS GradNight.”