By Monique Roth

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – The Great           er New Orleans Therapeutic Riding Center is gearing up for its 15th annual Harley for Horses Benefit Motorcycle Run scheduled for Sunday, April 27.

The ride will depart at 11 a.m. from Fatty’s Main Street Grill on Main Street in LaPlace, travel to Fred’s on the River in Port Vincent for lunch and then return to Fatty’s Main Street Grill for live music by Sac-a-Lait and more food.

The motorcycle run is open to riders of all makes of motorcycles. The registration fee is $30 for riders or $45 for riders with passengers. The fee includes lunch and free admission to the post-run celebration.

The public is invited to join riders at Fatty’s Main Street Grill to enjoy the live music from 2:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. for a $10 admission. All money raised at the door will go to the families of the four St. John the Baptist Parish deputies killed or injured on duty during the tragic shootings of Aug.16, 2012. Donations will also be accepted for the families and survivors.

The benefit motorcycle run is named after Harley, a diminutive pig that was given to the riding center 15 years ago. GNOTRC is a nonprofit organization located in LaPlace that provides horse assisted therapy and activities to children and adults with disabilities. The organization was founded in 1993 with four riders and two horses. Today, the center provides services to riders with disabilities with eight equine assistants.

This year, the ride will once again be dedicated to Deputy Brandon Nielsen, who was killed in the line of duty. Nielsen single-handedly organized police escort services for Harley for Horses Benefit Run for several years.

For more information or registration, visit www.gnotrc.com or call 985-651-5239 or 504-466-9960.