University Avenue's usual Sunday-afternoon calm was disturbed by the roar of engines as 1,770 riders and passengers sped by on motorcycles, attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the largest parade of motorcycles at the eighth annual Bikers on Parade for the USA event.
The 23-mile charity parade raised more than $101,000 to benefit the North Central Florida chapter of the American Red Cross and local veteran-related causes, said parade founder Bonnie Cameron.
It took parade participants 26 minutes to cross the start line at Santa Fe College before winding through Gainesville streets for more than an hour, shutting down University Avenue.
The riders were filmed as they crossed the finish line under a giant American flag held aloft by crane. Although the video will be submitted to the Guinness World Records agency, the potential record was rarely mentioned.
Focus was on support for veterans and public safety officers.
"We have a lot of events at this college. There is none that gives us more pride than this," SFC President Jackson Sasser said during the parade's opening ceremony, which was attended by more than 1,000 people.
As Toby Keith's "American Soldier" blasted during the ceremony, hundreds of participants crowded the stage to shake the hands of the two grand marshals, Purple Heart recipients Sgt. Catlin Mixson and Sgt. 1st Class John Borders.
"I never thought I would be able to get off that stage," said Mixson, who is from Williston.
Ed Wedge, who served eight years in the Air Force, rode in the parade wearing a full stormtrooper outfit. Wedge said his white and black motorcycle was "begging for a 'Star Wars' costume."
Wedge said he'll be back next year to continue to support the veterans, including his son, Sgt. Philip Wedge, who is in Iraq serving his second tour.
