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19th Bike Night to be set at Franklin campground

Despite a bumpy road, Lehighton Bike Night will carry on at a fresh site.

The 19th annual event will wind its way through the area Saturday, this time at Riders Resort in Franklin Township.It will be held from noon until 9 p.m. Sign-ups for a motorcycle run will be held from 9 a.m. to noon.But as recently as a few days ago, the biker-friendly event was in major jeopardy of not even being held at all.Township officials on Tuesday approved an agreement with the motorcycle enthusiast campground that requires the owners of Riders Resort to provide security, portable toilets and to enforce a curfew.They must provide six security guards Saturday, and two Friday night; require campers to use fire rings and keep water nearby; provide a first aid station; provide 11 portable toilets; and cover the cost of two additional police shifts for the day - somewhere between $550-600.Earlier Tuesday, township officials asked a judge at a hearing on an injunction held in Carbon County Court to block the event because they were concerned Riders Resort was not permitted to operate as an event venue.However, the township's attorney asked for a continuance because the two sides were close to a resolution.The township filed for an injunction against Lloyd Otto LLC, the owner of Riders Resort last week, because officials were concerned about security, trash removal and sewage facilities, and they didn't have the zoning to operate as an event venue.Ty Poole, a bike night organizer who also owns the Boatyard Bar & Grill, said organizers are relieved the event will continue on."We're happy to finally have a place to give it a proper home now," Poole said. "I hope we're just down jumping through hoops now."Poole said event organizers looked at the location years ago."We thought since it will cater to motorcyclists and their families, it would be a great combination," he said. "I think having the camping, I think that's a great thing."Much like last year, Poole said the event will raise money for VALOR Clinic Foundation."I'd hope motorcyclists, as well as our local community, support it," he said. "Myself, the riders, spectators, vendors, we all want to thank Franklin Township and the board of supervisors; they reached across the horizon to be able to work to continue to have it."Poole said there will be a kickoff event Friday at the site with several vendors set up."We're always trying to entertain our campers all summer long," he said. "Create a little atmosphere for them and roll right in.Poole said he hopes to see plenty of motorcyclists frequent this year's event."I think the weather is going to be beautiful," he said. "There are a lot of riders out there."Last year, the event was held at the Mahoning Drive-In and raised $2,700 for VALOR.In 2015, it was hosted by the Franklin Township Fire Company.And in 2014, it was held at the Grove in Lehighton, as well as the surrounding areas of Seventh, Eighth, Iron and Alum streets.That came after the event had been held in the borough's lower and upper park each of the previous 15 years.

The 19th annual Lehighton Bike Night will be held from noon until 9 p.m. Saturday at Riders Resort in Franklin Township. TIMES NEWS FILE PHOTO