The first Rocky Point Rally™ in November of 2001 drew just under 400 bikers to the shores of Puerto Peñasco. Over the years this number has grown tremendously and more than 6500 bikers made their way to Puerto Peñasco just last year….some of them carrying toys. In preparation for what organizers hope will be a new annual tradition, in November folks participating in the bike parade were asked to bring toys that were then collected and stored in preparation for the 1st Kings Day Toy Run held this past weekend in Rocky Point. The November effort brought in just over 150 toys.
As the date neared for the 1st Kings Day Toy Run, held January 10th, local motorcycle clubs continued to spread the word and a pleasant surprise came when Lake Havasu City native and Nashville signed singer Matt Farris – weekend guest performer – reported he and friends had collected approximately 300 more donations for the Toy Run.
Following a Friday night acoustic performance by Farris at Banditos, where Rally friends from spots including Sacramento, Tucson, and Phoenix rolled in, the 1st Kings Day Toy Run collection moved over to Shrimp Park on Saturday in preparation for the afternoon ride to the Convention Center where more than 1000 kids were participating in the DIF’s Día de los Reyes Fiesta.
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long with a spot for toy collection, Saturday’s events at Shrimp Plaza showcased the work of several local artists, as well as traditional folkloric dance presented by highschool students from CETMAR, and traditional treats prepared by culinary students from the Technological University of Puerto Peñasco (UTPP). During the afternoon Farris once again took the stage, adding a touch of country to the day, which was then topped off with “banda” by the local group Los Increíbles. Raffle prizes, including original artwork by Victor Alemán and a photo from the 2013 Rocky Point Rally by Tony Ballesteros, were given to winners Joe Keesecker (Phoenix, AZ) and Ken Ross (Tucson, AZ) respectively just before toys were loaded up for the ride/drive to the Convention Center.
As the entourage left Shrimp Plaza, led by Rally organizer Oscar Palacio Soto, it was evident nearly 500 toys had been collected for this 1st Toy Run. On the road to the Convention Center, Palacio was pleased to see bikers from the local clubs Rocky Point Riders and Rocky Point Sharks join in. 
A group of bikers, and amigos of long-time November sponsor Barclin’s, joined the ride with yet another trailer carrying over 300 more gifts! By the time the “parade” reached the Convention Center, this 1st Kings Day Toy Run had collected about 750 presents. Not to be left out, members of the Christian Motorcyclists Association – Valley of the Sun Riders Chapter No. 1 arrived at the Convention Center just as things were letting out and presented Puerto Peñasco’s First Lady Rafaela Félix de Figueroa with yet more gifts.
For this 1st Kings Day Toy Run, Rocky Point Rally organizers had teamed up to take the gifts to the DIF’s Annual Kings Day event, which welcomed nearly 1100 kids to the day’s activities. Palacio explains with the initial success of the Toy Run this year, plans are already in place to invite folk to bring down toys again in November (probably with a drop off spot at registration) and then of course invite everyone to come back down for the 2nd Three Kings Toy Run in 2016!
Save the date! 15th Rocky Point Rally November 11 – 15, 2015
¡GRACIAS A TODOS!
Special thank you to:
Sanborn’s Insurance (Official Sponsor)
Matt Farris Band & Crew
Twisted Metal Cycle Shop
Avondale Professional Firefighters Local 3924
Tyanna & Jullie of Camgirlphoto.com
The Propeller Company
Jeff & Linda Farris
Christian Motorcyclists Association – Valley of the Sun Riders Chapter No. 1
Beach Bum Restaurant
Joe & Selena Keesecker
Rocky Point Riders
Rocky Point Sharks
Banditos
Duke’s
UTPP Culinary Arts program
Romero Chagoyan
Luis Lugo
Bill & Beverly Arrowood
Bill Bingham
Participating Artists
Victor Alemán
Tony Ballesteros
Cindy Hall
Judy & Ron Ridgway
Julie Spray “The Raggedy Edge”
CEDO
Alma Yanez
Ricardo Monjarez
Sarimar from Natural Gardens
CETMAR Baile Folklorico
Los Increíbles