Third annual Steve Smith Memorial Ride Saturday

HALEYVILLE - An event to honor the memory and legacy of a local fire chief killed in the line of duty is growing even bigger this year.
The third annual Steve Smith Memorial Ride will take place Saturday, April 5.   The former Hometown Title & Pawn location on Highway 195 across from Rocky Ravine Park in Haleyville will serve as headquarters for the event, which will benefit the Pebble Volunteer Fire Department, the department Smith led for years before his tragic death on February 19, 2023.
Pebble Fire Chief Jesse Salter said Smith had wanted to have a festival-like event to help raise funds for the Pebble Fire Department.  On the day of his death, he was on his motorcycle scouting stops and a possible route for a benefit motorcycle ride when Pebble Fire was called out for a woods fire.  Smith immediately went in route to the fire on his motorcycle, but crashed on Newburg Road near Haleyville, passing away at the age of 46.
Salter and the members of the Pebble VFD have made it their mission to carry on Smith’s dream, with the events planned for this year making it the biggest memorial ride yet.  Registration will begin at 8 a.m., with the first bike leaving the parking lot at 10 a.m.  The cost to participate in the memorial ride will be $25, with any extra riders paying $5.
Bikers will enjoy a scenic route through Northwest Alabama, with the first stop at the Warrior Trading Post near Moulton.  Next, riders will travel to Wheeler Dam.  The third stop will be the Singing River Memorial in Florence.  The fourth stop will be the Frosty Inn in Russellville, then the riders will return to the former Hometown Title & Pawn location around 4 p.m. approximately.
A host of activities will take place once the riders return, including a car show, fun activities for children, great food and live music.  The popular regional band Backdraft will take the stage around 4 p.m. to perform.
Those who want to participate in the car show can do so for $10 per entry.  There will also be an audio competition and a slow race for motorcycles.  Participation in both of these events will be $10 each.
There will be a bouncy house for the kids to enjoy, along with opportunities to look at and climb inside fire trucks that will be on hand not just from Pebble, but from neighboring fire departments, as well.  
Modern Woodmen of America is serving as a sponsor for the fundraiser and will provide up to a $2,500 match for all proceeds raised.  
Salter said that the proceeds from the day’s events will go to help purchase needed equipment for the all-volunteer Pebble Fire Department.  The department receives no funding other than fire dues and donations.  Smith faced the challenges of running a  volunteer fire department for years, working on ways to bring more attention and support for Pebble Fire.
“This was one of his dreams, to have a full-day event to help support Pebble Fire.  We try to make sure that we make this a bigger event every year,”  Salter said.