Bikes and bison on tap for Saturday in Elgin

Like many lifelong Elginites, Bill Moring remembers his childhood days of visiting the Lords Park Zoo, which was once home to a bear and even a tiger.

"They had everything when I was a kid, or so it seemed," he recalled. "In the past 10 to 15, it's been in decline. The city doesn't really want to spend money on it, so we have to do something."

That something is the latest fundraiser by the Friends of the Lords Park Zoo, which on Saturday will host the "Bison Benefit Motorcycle & Scooter Rally 2010."

The event will begin registration at 10 a.m. and the Motorcycle and Scooter show held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lords Park, 325 Hiawatha Drive. Then, a fun run to several Elgin locations is planned from 3 to 5 p.m., followed by a raffle and after-party at JB's Pub and Grill, 295 S. McLean Blvd.

Laurie Faith Gibson-Aiello, chairwoman of the Friends group, said organizers hope to get at least 200 bikes for the show and about 70 people for the run.

"There might be more. The word keeps getting spread. Sometimes bikers just show up," she said. "We have big dreams for this function."

The cost is $10 for the show and $10 for the fun run, although a combo package is available for $15. For details, call (847) 802-9236 or visit bisonrally.com.

Last year, the city shut down the petting zoo at Lords Park but residents rallied to persuade the city not to eliminate the larger animals, such as bison, deer and elk.

Gibson-Aiello said the city in April promised to match up to $25,000 any money raised by the group.

Over the summer, the city formed a committee to study the long-term future of the zoo. The committee, which meets next on Sept. 7, is supposed to make a recommendation in the fall for the city's 2011 budget.

Gibson-Aiello said any commitment from the city is on hold until the committee acts.

So far, the Friends of the Lords Park Zoo has raised nearly $12,500, she said.

Moring, who is a member of the "Ton Up Chicago" motorcycle club, said organizers also hope to introduce riders to some of Elgin's other amenities during the fun run, which will stop at seven locations. He also hopes the Bison Benefit will grow into an annual event.

"Not a lot of people know what Elgin has to offer. That's why we want to do the tour run around town," he said. "I don't feel it's right to just get rid of the zoo, especially when it's been a part of people's lives for so long."