The inaugural Rylan Strong Network Car and Bike Show by all accounts was a success, boasting more than 165 entries and 700 attendees.
The Rylan Strong Network was formed to aid childhood cancer research and help families with kids battling cancer in honor of local Rylan Pruitt, 6, who passed away in March after his brave fight against medullomyoblastoma, a rare type of brain cancer.
“I can’t seem to find the right words to express how I feel. Yes of course, thank you to everyone that came to the show, that worked the show, that supported the show, that loved our little boy, and those that will continue to support our mission,” Rylan’s dad, Mike Pruitt said. “But thank you just doesn’t seem to fit the mold. To be honest, I’m humbled, I’m grateful, and I am in awe. I cannot describe the emotion I contain in this moment. There were so many people and supporters that made this show possible.”
With raising more than $6,000 at the event to benefit the network, Pruitt said if he could make a difference toward childhood cancer, he would consider it a life welllived.
Along with locals, bikers and car enthusiasts from as far away as Houston, Louisiana and Missouri came in to show their support for the cause.
Spider-man (from Denton) also thought the cause was well worth his time and dropped everything from his local neighborhood web slinging and crime fighting efforts to come visit Dublin.
As he rode around on a scooter, shot spider-string at kids and endured fighting those who thought they could best Spidey, his accompanying trailer named in honor of Rylan served sno-cones.
“In the last weeks of Rylan’s life Spider-man was there whenever we needed him,” Pruitt explained, saying how much his son loved the superhero.
A variety of vendors showed off their wares at the event along with a food truck.
Sponsors for the event included Hometown Hotrodders, Servant Souls, The Wicked Clover, Enderby Productions, Webs Party Services, Dublin Bottling Works, Street Car Chronicles, Central Inn-Dublin, Pro Carpet Cleaners, Lilly B’s, Mike Chlopik, Dublin Citizen, Waste Connections, Cruede Services, Texan Restrooms, Economic Development Corporation and Inky Blinders.
Winners from the show were not available at press time but local Keith Riley took home a best in class.
Ending the event, a candlelight vigil took place in honor of Rylan.
Though the candles wouldn’t stay lit due to the wind, Pruitt said seeing a sea of camera lights from cellphones was extremely touching as a video of Rylan played on a screen.
“I stayed behind the screen with tears running down my face,” he said. “I can never say thank you enough.”
Members of Rylan Pruitt’s family and friends gather in a candlelight vigil at the end of the car and bike show Saturday, Aug. 27 to pay tribute and remember the 6-year-old who fought his battle his way against cancer.
Lexi and Mike Pruitt, Rylan Pruitt’s bonus mom and his dad, visit with Spider-man at the event. Spidey was a popular web slinging, crime fighting superhero at the event.
Citizens and participants look at a collection of cars and bikes at the inaugural Rylan Strong Network Car and Bike Show on Elm Street in Dublin. The event raised $6,000 for those battling childhood cancer.
Musical guests entertained guests at the car and bike show. Below, handmade tropies made from car parts were awarded to the winners of the show.