During the Martin Luther King weekend all the usual suspects showed up in Ocotillo Wells for the 25th Annual Buzzard Bait Family Fun Ride. That’s correct, 25 years! Mike and Sonya Reitmayer and Doug and Renee Weber have been working all those years to make this event happen. I think congratulations are in order and we should all sing them a “Hymn.”
It was good to see everyone come together, greeting each other with handshakes and hugs. The voluntary “NO MASK” mandate was in force, and in keeping with the current health protocols, a vaccination center was set up. The “Covid Shots” booth was well attended as the “shots” turned out to be tequila, whiskey and Fireball! Needless to say, I got my two shots and a booster!
It all started 25 years ago at Holmes Camp, in the Ocotillo Wells Off Highway Vehicle Park. Six families got together for a weekend of family fun, dirt and camaraderie. As word got out, the group began to expand each year. A poker run was established with proceeds going to the LAFD Widows, Orphans and Disabled Fireman’s Fund, and every year got bigger. Eventually the event was moved to a large open area further inside the park. There were as many as 150 – 200 RVs, trailers and tents set up in a large U-shaped camp area. Fire Stations brought their own groups each year, some with themes and decorations. All was going well until the administration of the OHV park decided enough was enough. The firemen were having too much fun and donating too much money to charity. So, they arbitrarily raised the permit fee from $25 to $2000.! They required us to have a water truck for dust mitigation (in a drought). That worked well in the other one million acres of desert surrounding the camp! A paid “desert lifeguard,” (in case the water truck crashed and someone was drowning) was also required, and a sheriff in a patrol car. The “desert lifeguard” was actually an EMT for medical emergencies, as if the LAFD couldn’t take care of themselves with 100 Paramedics / EMTs on scene. The presence of the sheriff kept the law-breakers in line – NOT. (Think SOBE bombs and fireworks). So, Mike and Doug moved the event south across the highway, out of the park, on private land, where we continue to have fun and donate money.
This year’s event was taken from the TV show “Gold Rush.” Sites were set up along the course where participants could pan for gold, dig for nuggets or just identify as a “gold-digger!” Gold nuggets were exchanged for raffle tickets for one of the many prizes donated to the event, including stays at condos in Colorado and Mammoth. All in all, everyone had a great time and money was raised for a worthy cause.
There was a rumor floating around that this may be the last year for Buzzard Bait. That was right up to the time that Dale Smith’s (CII LAFD) son, a recent Marine Corp graduate, made an impassioned speech about how much the event meant to him. Growing up with the event, all the memories, family time and fun he had. He couldn’t wait to bring his future family to this event! How do you argue with that?
Thanks again to Doug, Renee, Mike and Sonya for all your hard work and dedication.