Bikers across Pottawatomie County are gearing up for a milestone ride: the Shawnee Toy Run turns 25 this year, with a motorcycle parade set for December 13 at 1 p.m. The parade leaves from the New FireLake Casino, and every rider who wants in needs just one thing to join the line — a new, unopened toy.
The 2026 milestone follows a 24th annual run held Dec. 14, 2025, at FireLake Casino, as listed by Visit Shawnee’s event calendar. That puts the parade among Shawnee’s recurring holiday traditions, though the event listing does not identify which organization receives the toys or how they are distributed.
A new, unopened toy serves as the entry fee for parade participants. The New FireLake Casino, where the procession kicks off, sits at the corner of Gordon Cooper Drive and Hardesty Road.
The Shawnee Toy Run centers on new, unopened toys.
The motorcycle parade is part of a wider network of holiday giving in Shawnee. A separate Shawnee Police Department toy drive distributed 751 toys to 162 children, while local law enforcement agencies also took part in the department’s Shop-With-A-Cop event, the Citizen Potawatomi Nation reported in 2023. Those efforts are distinct from the Shawnee Toy Run, but show other ways area organizations have directed holiday gifts to children.
A Night of Fundraising at the Elks Lodge
Alongside the collection points, Shawnee Toy Run attendees can also join a companion event at the Elks Lodge, which the sheriff's office says will include a live auction, door prizes, a 50/50 pot, and food and drinks. Specific scheduling details for the Elks Lodge gathering weren't included in the announcement.
The sheriff's office is also directing families who need holiday help toward the program directly. Those needing holiday assistance can request an application by emailing [email protected], per the same post.
Other Oklahoma motorcycle groups pair toy collections with additional community needs. In Lawton, the Coalition of Motorcyclists’ annual toy run also collects food for the local food bank and supports the Lawton Firefighter Association’s Christmas for Kids program, KSWO reported. The Shawnee announcement does not specify a distribution partner for this year’s donations, so families seeking assistance are directed to request an application from the organizers.
The Shawnee Toy Run
The Shawnee Toy Run brings area bikers together for a holiday parade.
