The 2024 Wings Motorcycle Fun Run was one for the ages.

For the first time since Sept. 11, 2001, public vehicle traffic was allowed to cross the Libby Dam.

Event organizer Dee Teske credited Annette Best, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineer employee and a Wings volunteer, with her efforts in helping arrange the chance for poker run riders to cross the dam.

“Annette put a good amount of time, phone calls, emails and a lot of perseverance to get it set up, so she deserves a lot of credit,” Teske said. “She doesn’t seek the attention, but the run was an even more amazing day by being able to drive across the Libby Dam. We really appreciate the Corps and this day will go down in history in our hearts and memories.”

The 13th annual event, which featured 125 riders, raised $5,600.

Teske said only a few people knew about the chance to ride across the dam, so it was a very pleasant surprise for most.

Teske said her daughters, Randa Holm and Brittany Timbrook, and fellow poker lady Ashley Perkins, were thrilled to be in the truck that led the poker run.

“They were whooping and hollering,” Teske said. “We were only allowed the lead vehicle, the riders and the photographer.”

Fellow organizer Jule Mason said riders came from all over Montana and a number of neighboring states.

“The day was beautiful and the scenic route was appreciated by all,” Mason said. “The riders were especially touched when they discovered that there had been special arrangements for the group to ride across the Libby Dam. The dam has been closed to traffic for close to 23 years.”

It began at Kaiju Bar and Grill with stops at Foxy’s, Happy’s Inn, down to Cow Creek, the Fisher River Road, Highway 37, the dam, River Bend Restaurant before ending at the VFW where awards were presented.

The event also had significant donations from area businesses.

For more photos of the event and information on future rides, check out the group’s Facebook page: Wings Motorcycle Fun Run Libby, MT.

    Wings Motorcycle Fun Run organizer Dee Teske took a screen shot of video that Byron Sanderson recorded with his drone on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at the 13th annual fun run. (Screenshot of drone video footage by Byron Sanderson)
  

    Motorcyclists in the 13th annual Wings Fun Run cross the Libby Dam Saturday, June 8, 2024. It was the first time the dam was open to vehicle traffic since before Sept. 11, 2001. (Photo courtesy Wings Motorcycle Fun Run Libby, MT.)