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FAIRMONT - A crowd of dudes and dudettes turned out this weekend for the first Dude Roll-in, Ride and Rally.

Event organizers Ruth Theobald and DeDe Kotewa hailed the first year a success.

Chuck Mixson, adjutant for the Northrop American Legion, hosts a roll-in to raise funds for veterans every year. This year, the roll-in was held on Friday in conjunction with the Dude Rally.

The theme for the event was "Dude the right thing and help our military veterans."

People from the Northrop Legion didn't even think twice about vounteering for different activities throughout the weekend at the Flying Goose Campground, according to Mixson.

"There is an amazing response you get when you talk about your freedoms."

And, he noted, motorcyclists and classic car enthusiasts often prefer a local event.

The weekend's purpose was to raise funds - $50,000 - to buy a new van for the Martin County Veterans Transportation Program. The program pays a stipend for drivers and fuel, but isn't able to afford van maintenance or replacement. Last year, the vehicle gave 780 rides in order for area veterans to get to Veterans Administration hospitals in either Sioux Falls, S.D., or Minneapolis.

"People try to pull together and do something for our veterans and it's encouraging," he said. "I think we'll be even better next year. The sponsors sure have been great. Especially in the economy today - it's hard for some of those people to come out and help us with their donations."

Theobald wasn't sure if they would be able to raise $50,000 in one year, but the event will be held annually to help the cause.

"It will always be a military fund-raiser," Theobald said.

Theobald has had numerous family members who have served in the military, and Kotewa's son served 18 months in Iraq.

"Veterans give so much for our country," Kotewa said. "There's that saying, 'Some gave some and some gave all.' Some families gave their loved ones for our freedoms. If I can't 'Dude the right thing' and give things back, then do I really appreciate my freedom?"

Saturday morning's festivities began with a flag presentation and a breakfast.

"It's been amazing," Kotewa said. "The breakfast this morning - all the tables were filled."

A couple of bikers from Omaha, Neb., even dropped by for breakfast.

Then, the motorcyclists and classic cruisers went for a ride - through East Chain, Ceylon and Dunnell to Okoboji Harley Davidson. While rain clouds threatened part of the ride, not a single drop fell. After lunch at the Harley dealership, the group continued back to the Flying Goose.

"We had a fantastic ride," Kotewa said.

"We're just ecstatic about the classic cars that went on the ride," Theobald added.

About 25 motorcycles and four classic cars participated in the ride. Theobald thinks fewer turned out than hoped for because of the threat of rain. Given that the event is in its first year, the pair were impressed with the turnout. They also appreciated that some riders came from further distances, like Des Moines and Minneapolis.

When people ride, they have a lot of things to think about, Theobald said. Two of the things she thinks about are freedom and veterans.

The two women began planning the event merely six weeks ago. Both are long-term Fairmont residents, and met three years ago. Two years ago, they organized their first fund-raiser.

"But now we've really found the one," Kotewa said.

A $5 cover charge for anyone partaking in festivities helped raise funds, as well as food vendors and a silent auction. Two bands played in the late afternoon Saturday - Red Lipstick of Blue Earth and Dark Horse of southern Minnesota.

The silent auction brought in $1,274 toward the van. The remainder of the funds raised during the event have not yet been tallied, but Theobald said some of the initial donations came from the Martin County American Legion with $1,000; the Disabled American Veteran's group with $1,000, the Borderline Cruisers presented $250 at Friday's roll-in. Vita Plus Corporation, Bank Midwest and Hefty Seeds each donated half the funds to pay for a band.

Kotewa and Theobald also appreciated the work Gary and Linda Hanson, owners of the Flying Goose, did to help the event run smoothly.

"They have been such gracious hosts," Theobald said.

Mixson added his accolades saying the event wouldn't have been successful without the campground's help.

Before Dark Horse played, winners of two Dude's Choice Awards were announced. One for the best cruiser, the other for best bike. Every person who attended the event got a chance to vote. The people's choice of cruisers was a yellow 1972 Pontiac Lemans, with original parts, owned by Barb Kotewa. The best motorcycle was DeDe Kotewa's Harley Davidson. Each received a framed, etched mirror with the Dude Rally logo.