Joel Berry, right, of Charlestown, New Hampshire, and his brother, Aaron Small of Harrison, Maine, carry stick horses and other toys Sunday after riding their motorcycles to deliver the toys during the United Bikers of Maine Toy Run at the Windsor Fairgrounds. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

WINDSOR — The United Bikers of Maine Toy Run on Sunday was the largest since the event had to be shut down in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, organizers said.

Bikers clad in patch-covered vests and carrying toys — Barbie dolls, Lego sets and much more — thundered into the Windsor Fairgrounds from across the state and beyond.

The event brings in thousands of toys that are donated at Christmas to Maine children in need. Once the toys are collected, partner organizations distribute them in each of Maine’s 16 counties and its tribal nations, according to Shawn Nava, president of the United Bikers of Maine, or UBM.

Bikers deliver toys Sunday during the United Bikers of Maine Toy Run at the Windsor Fairgrounds. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

Marley, a toy monkey, sits in the saddle Sunday after arriving with Joel Berry of Charlestown, New Hampshire, during the United Bikers of Maine Toy Run at the Windsor Fairgrounds. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

By about noon Sunday, Nava estimated there were almost 600 motorcycles and 1,000 people at the fairgrounds, with more to roll in through the afternoon. The turnout, he said, was among the largest the event has seen since it was canceled in 2020, near the start of the pandemic.

“It was a very difficult couple of years. The year COVID came out, we couldn’t hold the parade, so we just donated the toys and cash instead,” Nava said. “So seeing this is really good. Last year was really good, too, but this is even better.”

Several hundred toys had been donated by early Sunday afternoon, Nava said, though an exact count would not be available until later in the day.

While the toy run used to be a lengthy caravan of motorcycles traveling down Interstate 95, it became a stationary event after a fatal accident killed two riders in 2017. Now, UBM chapters form their own parades as they ride to a central gathering location.

Having been moved from the Augusta Civic Center to the Windsor Fairgrounds, the toy run now places greater emphasis on welcoming children to the event.

It now features food trucks and local vendors at about a half-dozen booths selling silver jewelry, tie-dyed items and more. Nava said many of the vendors Sunday were UBM members who also donated toys.

Bikers arrive Sunday at the Windsor Fairgrounds as they deliver toys during the United Bikers of Maine Toy Run. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

“Back in the old days, you know, you didn’t really see a lot of kids at our events,” Nava said. “But now, look around. There’s kids everywhere. They’re here with their families. We get to do more than just hand out toys now. We get to put all of this on for the kids.”

With the toy run a chance for bikers from across Maine and other states to help provide for children, the event symbolizes why many of the UBM members joined the motorcycling community.

“The look on some of these kids’ faces is the same look I had when I was their age,” Penobscot County biker John Merchant said. “When I was a little boy, my uncle used to ride an old (Harley-Davidson) Heritage Classic through town standing up, and that really impressed me.

“Now, I’ve had a bike of my own since I was 40, and my daughter, who’s 25, rides a Heritage Classic of her own. It’s really all about the different generations. And they’re all here.”

Bikers deliver toys Sunday during the United Bikers of Maine Toy Run at the Windsor Fairgrounds. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel