The 10th annual Bikes & BBQ 4 Autism event drew a record crowd and raised more than $10,000 this year, continuing a decade-long tradition of supporting local autism and special needs organizations.

Organizers reported collecting $9,938 during Saturday’s event, with additional donations pushing the total to $10,238 as of Monday morning. Another potential $500 donation is still pending approval, which could increase the final total even further.

Attendance also saw a significant jump, with more than 150 bikers participating this year compared to just under 50 last year.

“We had over 150 people registered at Gator Harley-Davidson,” organizer John Sokol says. “By the time it was all said and done, that’s just awesome.”

Founded in 2016, Bikes & BBQ 4 Autism was created to support smaller nonprofit organizations serving the autism community. Over the years, the event has grown into a major fundraiser featuring a motorcycle ride, food, live music, raffles and auctions.

“We’ve been hosting this event for ten years now,” John says.

Organizers say this year marked one of the strongest yet, not only in attendance but also in community contributions. Donations for raffles and live auctions increased significantly, allowing organizers to rely less on personal contributions and more on community support.

“If you look around at all the baskets and everything you see, it’s all because of Krissy Harris,” John says, recognizing the work that goes into organizing the event each year.

A longtime partnership with Gator Harley-Davidson has helped fuel that growth, providing a consistent home base for the ride and strengthening ties within the riding community.

With record participation and fundraising totals, organizers say the 10th anniversary event stands as one of their most successful to date — and a sign that community support for the cause continues to grow.

Photos provided by Melissa Hampton