Business & Tech

Motorcycles to Converge on Middletown's Main St. Wednesday

Motorcycle Mania's proceeds benefit youth programs and is held in memory of Dan Hunter.

This week, the county prepares for what has become a signature event for the city of Middletown: Wednesday's Motorcycle Mania 2011, presented by Hunter’s Ambulance, Hunter Limousines and the Hunter Family. 

This year’s installment is shaping up to be the most attended event to date. Sponsoring companies include: Liberty Bank (Diamond Sponsor); Gengras Motorcycles, Haymond Law Firm and Charles Computer Services (Gold Sponsors); Coca-Cola, Home Team Supply, Minuteman Press and ServPro (Silver Sponsors); Fabian Associates, Downtown Business District and Stone Depot (Bronze Sponsors).

The city closes off Main Street from the South Green to the corner of Washington Street as Middletown hosts more than 3,000 motorcyclists.

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Riders park their bikes for public display and for a chance win one of nine awards. Entrants will be located on the block between Washington and Court streets and the recipients will be named at 8:15 p.m. in front of Bank of America.

The Dan M. Hunter “Functionality with Style” Award is in memory of a founding sponsor of this event. This is the second year it has been held in his memory.

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Not only was Dan committed to the success of this event, he was committed to this community. For more than 20 years, he was a strong supporter of our chamber and served as a terrific corporate leader in Middlesex County and also the Meriden region. I miss him, both as a colleague and a friend. I am certain that he would be proud to see how this event continues to get bigger and better each year because of the terrific impact of his wonderful family.

To coordinate an event of this scope, we are fortunate to have some outstanding leaders who have worked very hard to organize it. Rich Greco of Nationwide Investments and Norm LeBlanc from Trantolo & Trantolo Law Firm, the event’s co-chairs, and the Motorcycle Mania Committee should be thanked for their continued effort. 

The evening includes a host of sights and sounds  to entertain people of all ages.

With charity in mind, there is a suggested donation of $5 to display each motorcycle, and $10 for bikes entered for awards. These proceeds will be given to various Middletown youth programs.

Past donations went to the Middlesex Chamber’s Middletown Mentor Program and other programs of the Middletown Parks and Recreation.

The chamber’s Small Business Seminar series continues Tuesday with the annual Sexual Harassment Prevention Training seminar. Because of the popularity and relevance of this particular seminar, we are offering two sessions: at 8 and 10:15 a.m. at the chamber.

Last week, we welcomed Rory Moorer’s Gallore Gallery in Middletown on Thursday and a new Sears Auto Center in Middletown on Friday, led by Joe Klimas.

On a personal note,  I was thrilled to see Paul Maturo, a former fellow football player at Xavier High School, promoted to the rank of lieutenant with the Middletown Police Department on Friday. I had the honor of coaching Paul when he was a young man at Xavier and he has truly come into his own as a fine leader in law enforcement.

Congratulations to the others who were promoted as well: Sean Moriarty to rank of captain and William Porter to rank of sergeant. We are very fortunate to have such dedicated people in our police force and I wish them the best.

For information, contact Matt Fraulino at (860) 347-6924 or mfraulino@middlesexchamber.com.


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