30th Annual Nevada County NCFTR Toy Run 2021

Music: The James Gang, “Wrapcity in English” from 1969 LP “Yer’ Album”

This isn’t so much about the ’21 Toy Run as it is about the twenty-nine previous runs and the man who made it all happen. Thom Staser. Thom started the Nevada County Food and Toy Run (NCFTR) back in 1991, attracting thousands of riders and insuring a Merry Christmas for families that might otherwise have gone without. Support from law enforcement, fire departments, rescue units, and various agencies made it somewhat unique among Toy Runs, with blocked intersections during the ride and crowds lining the streets.

After 30 years of logistics, planning, and balancing demands from city, county and state agencies, 2020 proved to be his last year when they all pulled the plug due to mass psychosis shutdowns. But…. we rode anyway, choosing freedom over fear, Christmas over Covid.

This year, having created what is probably the single biggest charity event in Nevada County, Thom has passed the baton to new management - without so much as a thank-you, near as I can tell. 2021 saw a good turnout, judging by the number of bikes involved. Will the NCFTR survive? Time will tell.

FWIW, this will likely be last post here on YouTube. Moving to Rumble: The Ride Goes On.