The Polk County Toy Run is held the Saturday after Thanksgiving each year. Polk County is  invited to turn out on Main Street, Saluda before 2 p.m. and cheer the riders on. All motorcycle riders are invited to participate in this ride. Motorcycle riders come in from both North and South Carolina to make sure that children in need get a toy for Christmas.   

 The route the riders follow starts in Saluda at the Saluda Fire Department parking area with room for more than 1,000  bikes. They move out in parade fashion and travel down US-176 to pass through Tryon while en route to Landrum. 

Arriving in Landrum, the riders turn left and go through the town of Landrum, cross over I-26 en route to Green Creek. Once they arrive there, they then turn north on NC-9 to Mill Spring, N.C. 

Then riders turn west on NC-108 to Columbus, and terminate at the front steps of the courthouse. There will be ample parking in front of the courthouse for the motorcycles to park in normal diagonal fashion. The toys are placed on the steps and wall for all to see and admire. 

The column of bikers each year is about 10 miles long. They travel at about 35 mph on the entire route in staggered two-by-two fashion.

 The Polk County Sheriff’s office would like to thank all of the motorcycle riders that participate in this event and hope that it will only grow larger each year. For more information contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 828-894-3001. 

– submitted by Cathy Jackson