A little history behind this event...

In 2005, over 30 Bikers from 6 States showed up for the first ever Moonshine Lunch Run in Moonshine, IL. 1 Guy, Critter from Minnesota, rode 610 miles one way to attend. A total of 6,800 miles round trip were ridden by 26 riders making the average per person 261 miles round trip.

In 2006, we had over 312 bikes and over 400 people show up. At this time, we had set the all time record of 712 hamburgers served in a single day, but this was beat on August 30, 2008. We are even mentioned here. There were 235 people signed up. They rode a total of 57,680 miles one way to a town with a population of 2 to eat a Moonburger. So, that means at least 115,360 miles were ridden round trip to Moonshine, IL. An average of 491 miles were ridden round trip by each and every one that signed in. We had 143 people ride over 130 miles one way. 21 people rode at least 610 miles this year one way. We had 5 people ride over 1,000 miles one way to eat a Moonburger. Jon Kohler was the grand prize winner at 1,124 miles one way.

I almost forgot about the most famous thing that happened this year. Terry, our host, ran out of gas on his way to Moonshine! If he tries to deny it, you can thank Putt for the pictures provided in the gallery.

T-shirts were also sold in 2006 for the first time. Terry rounded the price off for the t-shirts. The money left over was given to the Mexican mission fund through Willow Creek church. He donated 2,031.00 on everybody's behalf who came to Moonshine.

In 2007, we got bigger and the weather got worse, but that didn't stop people from coming to little ole Moonshine, IL. We had 723 people sign up for the event. A guy asked Terry, "What if we get bad weather?" Terry just replied, "If it snows, 300 people will show up because these guys ride, no matter what!" Terry was wrong! 400 hundred people still showed up at Moonshine. This is also the year for Terry's famous words, "If you don't make it to Moonshine,,, you ain't a Motorcycle Rider,,, you're just a Motorcycle Owner!!!" As I said, the event got bigger. We started a webpage and the event actually got started on the Thursday before the Moonshine Lunch Run.

Thursday, there were 65 riders show up at Terry's for a cookout. Those 65 people rode a total of 18,474 miles. An average of 284.2 miles each one way. I guess you have to ask Billy "Coop" Cooper why he rode 1184 miles to cookout at Terry's house.

Friday, at noon, we had 85 riders show up to eat Elephant ear sandwiches at Coles County Airport. Afterwards, Tim Yow took us on a ride to Paris, IL to see a collection of stuff. It was a collection of cars to gliders. That night, one of my favorites of the event, we had dinner at Richards Farm. Terry calculated 230 people showed up, but I think that is a conservative count.

Saturday, Terry and I looked at the weather map. It hadn't started to rain, but as it did there were reports of ice and snow to follow. One of my most memorable moments was when Terry opened an email from a guy asking him to reschedule the event since the weather was bad. Terry stated that he would, but didn't know what he would tell the 300 people already here from Maine, Florida, Arizona and so on. We ended up with pictures of license plates from 29 states.

At Moonshine, we had somewhere between 275 and 300 people show up. There still were 410 Moonburgers served. It wasn't a record, but it sure was an amazing number with the bad weather. We had 10 people come over a 1,000 miles one way this year. George Catt was the grand prize winner with 1,800 + miles one way coming all the way from Kingman, AZ.

Donations this year were tremendous. 2,500.00 went to the Mexican Mission, 500.00 to the local Crisis Center and 500.00 to the local food pantry. On top of this, there were raffle tickets sold for a local person battling Cancer which raised 1,500.00. Also, the winner of the raffle donated the money back.

In 2008, The weather decided not to break tradition with light scattered showers. We still had around 400 people show up and 612 burgers served. Pete Rogers, from Oasis, BC, rode 2,196 miles for a moonburger and was the grand prize winner for longest distance traveled. Here is a picture of his bike on the way to Moonshine. It was decided that the MLR was a wacky idea, held in a wacky place at a wacky time with wacky weather.

Thursday cookout, Terry moved it to the hotel because of weather. Which turned out to be a great feast. Friday Lunch, we had those wonderful giant elephant ear sandwiches at Coles County airport. Tim Yow, who never seems to fail us for a great adventure, took riders to a private car collection.

Friday night was the traditional dinner at Richard's Farm. Terry made it a sort of an awards banquet and it turned out well. I was able to present Terry a check for 550.00 that was donated through the web Page. He gave out some cool etched plexi glass awards to the top 50 distant riders.

A Saturday night dinner was added this year, the local volunteer firemen put on a dinner for us to help raise money. Sunday breakfast was also added and turned out good.

The Christian Motorcycle Association Chapter #836 provided a "Blessing of the bikes" on Saturday morning and a service on Sunday morning.

This years donations were 3,500.00 to the Mexican Children Mission, 500.00 to the Casey Food Pantry, 500.00 to the Crisis Center and 500.00 to the Casey volunteer firemen.

On a special note, the summer of 2008 the Casey Comfort Inn manager's husband died. Moonshine rider's from all over donated 900.00 dollars to her. She used the donation to buy a headstone.

In 2009, Some would say the weather was bad for the MLR. We had over 700 people and a new record of 1,119 moonburgers eaten.

Thursday night cookout went well with 150 people showing up to experience Terry's peanut butter ice cream. Friday lunch at Stovepipe Grill & Smokehouse at Springhaven and the trip to Thompson's Motor Sport via the tail of the cow was enjoyed by everyone thanks to Tim Yow. Friday night at Richard's Farm was packed with 300 people in the main room and more in the main restaurant. Terry received an achievement award for the event. It was a gas can. Cape Fear was the same weekend and Richard's Farm was a bonus point. Participants were coming in getting their picture taken with Terry. The first rough road ride was held on Saturday for those dirt, dual and adventure bikes. Thanks to the Casey Fire Department for the Chili supper Saturday night. Once again, Sunday breakfast was served to start people off on their journey home. A special thanks to the Christian Motorcycle Association Chapter #836 again this year.

Donations were great this year! Casey Food Pantry, Casey Fire Department and Crisis Center each got 800.00. 3,000.00 went to the mission for the children's orphanage in Mexico.

In 2010, we had great weather and a record crowd. A new record of 1,908 moonburgers eaten. We had 1,100 bikes with 1,400 people come to the event.

Thursday night cookout was a success and Terry upgraded his ice cream makers. Friday lunch at Stovepipe Grill & Smokehouse at Springhaven with a trip to a Corvette museum and to see some old trucks at an "old" filling station was enjoyed by everyone thanks to Tim Yow. Friday night at Richard's Farm Terry announced 9 people to the MLR Board of Regents. For the second time, we had a rough road ride on Saturday morning for those dirt, dual and adventure bikes. Thanks to the Casey Fire Department for the Chili supper Saturday night. Sunday breakfast was served to start people off on their journey home. A special thanks to the Christian Motorcycle Association Chapter #836.

Donations were abundant this year! The donations went to Casey Food Pantry, Casey Fire Department, Crisis Center, Martinsville Food Pantry, Martinsville Fire Department, Casey Senior Center and the Children's Orphanage in Mexico. Thanks to everyone who helped!

Nov 19, 2010 brought us a sad day as Terry passed to his Eternal home. Casey locals and MLR Board of Regents continue on in Terry's honor.

2011 brought on a new record of 2068 burgers served. Approximately 1600 bikes and 1800 people showed up during the raining morning and sunny afternoon Saturday.

The cookout on Thursday night had 139 bikes counted at one time with 300 people showing up overall. Many thanks to Jim Bolin of Bolin Enterprise and employees for bringing their grill, providing food and cooking. They even took grill out to Moonshine and grilled Saturday.

Friday lunch had some take a ride over to St. Louis to eat at Pappy’s Smokehouse while others stayed local and went to Stovepipe Grill & Smokehouse. We packed it in at Richard’s Farm Friday night. Casey Fire Department had a chili supper Saturday night; breakfast was served on Sunday Morning along with a short service provided by CMA #836.

Thank you to Casey McDonald’s for donating tea for Saturday night and Casey DQ for donating biscuits Sunday morning. Thanks to all the volunteers out there!

This year’s donations went to Casey Food Pantry, Martinsville Food Pantry, Casey Fire Department, Martinsville Fire Department, Crisis Pregnancy Center and Terry Hammond Memorial Musical Program at Martinsville High School. Thank you!

Here are a couple links from riders that have come to the Moonshine Lunch Run:

DavidLSI (Scroll down on this page, it has pictures of Friday afternoon lunch at Coles County Airport and ride.)

Claye Curtis wrote about her ride to and ride home from Moonshine.

Here is a write up about Moonshine, Illinois written by John Dappert.

Now, the YouTube video.

So, there you have the history of the Moonshine Lunch Run. Come and make it another great year!

©2007-2012 Moonshine Lunch Run