Ronald McDonald RIDE to make a stop in Wolf Lake
News | Published on June 3, 2026 at 2:26pm EDT | Author: frazeevergas
0Twenty-fifth annual event set for Saturday, June 13
By Matthew Johnson
Reporter
The Ronald McDonald House (RMH) Ride, the world’s largest RMH charity motorcycle ride held annually in New York Mills (NYM), is celebrating its 25th anniversary Saturday, June 13.
That day bikers will leave the NYM VFW at 12 noon sharp, take a 40-mile ride with the first stop in Frazee, then a 34-mile ride before the second stop for lunch in Wolf Lake followed by the final 23-mile ride back to NYM. Proceeds benefit the Red River Valley (RRV) Ronald McDonald House Charity, which provides rest, meals and support – a type of home away from home – for children receiving medical care and their caregiving family members. The cost of lunch in Wolf Lake is a free-will offering and will include brats, beverages and “other good eats,” according to Wolf Lake officials.
The RMH Ride has raised close to $2 million for the charity over the past 20-plus years.
Pre-registration was in May and all event passes for the RMH Ride are available on the rmhride.com website. The passes, which are $77.50 apiece, are good for Friday night’s band, all Saturday events and camping Thursday night through Saturday night. Check in is at the campgrounds behind the NYM VFW starting Thursday, June 11. The Friday night outdoor concert from 8 to 11:30 p.m. has a $10 cover charge and features “The Hype” and the Saturday night outdoor concert from 8 to 11 p.m. also has a $10 cover charge and features the “Johnny Holm Band.”
Raffle tickets, at $20 apiece, are also available at several lakes area businesses and through RMH Ride Committee members. A total of 2,700 raffle tickets are being sold and someone’s name will be drawn in this year’s RMH Ride motorcycle raffle for the Harley Davidson Street Glide. Many other prizes will be drawn, as well, including $1,000 cash, at the Charles D. Center VFW Post #3289. Winners need not be present to win. Raffle ticket locations and committee members can be found on the RMH Ride Facebook page.
The event started 25 years ago when a family friend’s child was sick and the family was experiencing hardship. The family stayed at the RMH of the RRV and the first RMH Ride started in NYM with just 15 members raising $3,300. Since then, it has expanded to include other annual events like the Kick Off Party and Fun Run.
The 2026 RMH Ride Fun Run passports and participation instructions are on the website. Passports must be turned in to the NYM VFW by 5 p.m. the day of the ride to qualify.
Pop tabs are also collected at the annual event as another way to raise funds for the charity. The event in 2012 was a record year with 1,507 motorcycles, 1,620 pop tabs collected and $134,690.94 raised. More than $161,000 was raised in 2016. Statistics from each year of the ride are on the website. Pop tabs for the cause can be dropped off at the Karvonen Funeral chapels in Wadena or NYM.
Organizers have the following message for supporters as printed on the website: “We are grateful to the overwhelming generosity of New York Mills and surrounding communities, event goers, volunteers and event staff who have made this event possible year after year.”