By Kimberly Gasuras
CCN Reporter
BUCYRUS―Tim Dye lost his friend, Shannon Byrum, in a tragic motorcycle crash one year ago but has found a way to way to honor him.
“I know this event will make him proud and smile a big grin as I have included the many things that he loved,” said Dye. “He shared a love of friends, music and motorcycles with many. He rarely met a stranger even from the first time we met, which was in sixth grade. My first exposure to his music was during our middle school talent show.”
Dye has organized the Shannon Byrum Memorial Poker Run on Sept. 8. The first bike out will be at noon with the last bike in by 5 p.m. The poker run begins and ends at Suburban Lanes, 975 Hopley Ave., in Bucyrus.
“You do not have to ride to participate in the poker run,” said Dye.
Dye did not see Byrum for a few years when he moved away for a short time after graduation from high school.
“When he returned, he was doing local gigs playing both original songs he wrote and all-time favorites of Outlaw country music. Shannon loved riding his motorcycle, a hobby I too shared, from attending local poker runs to Sunday rides on country roads for much-needed wind therapy. We had plans of trips to Sturgis bike week event in South Dakota and a trip to the Back of the Dragon in Virginia, though those plans never came,” said Dye.
Dye said he carries a photo of Byrum in his motorcycle trunk.
“He rides every mile with me in spirit. Shannon was a great friend, he had a big heart and personality. It was an honor to call him my friend. He even gave me my riding nickname “Caboose” because I was always at the tail end of the pack,” said Dye. “I have a patch on my riding vest with that nickname he gave me honoring him.”
Money raised from the event will be given to local artists, musicians and bands to upgrade or purchase musical equipment.
“The event was created to remember a friend of many and to give all a chance to remember and honor him. He was an avid musician and 100 percent of the monies raised at this event I want to utilize to donate, upgrade or buy musical equipment for a local artist, musician or band that share and aspire to produce and play music as Shannon did,” said Dye. “It is with the hope that they will continue to play, share and sing their music in Shannon’s memory.”
Live music for the event will include Get Away, Common Thread, Rob Skaggs and the Jake Roberts Band.
“There will be several vendors set up at the venue that will have products on display and available for purchase on-site,” said Dye. “Many local retailers have donated items and services for the raffle, all of which have been recognized on our Facebook event page.” Tickets will be sold for $1 each or six for $5.
Some of the raffle items include professional tax return preparation, oil changes from local mechanic shops, premium car washes and a gun box.
A 50/50 drawing will be held with the winner being drawn at 7 p.m.
“Any and all are welcome, come out and join in the event, buy a raffle ticket, bowl a few games, come along on the ride, or just relax and enjoy cool drinks and great music to honor our friend and fellow rider, Shannon,” said Dye.
For more information, visit the event page on Facebook.