The fire department is always there when we need them. This was a way for us to be there for them.”

Charlie Weber

The sound of engines revving wasn’t just for show last weekend in Hastings. Over 100 side-by-side, off-road vehicles built for both recreation and utility, took to the trails and roads just outside the city as part of a grassroots fundraiser benefiting the Hastings Fire Department.
The event, organized by three local residents, Kevin McGraw, Charlie Weber, and Devyn Dimmick-Partington, drew 260 registered riders and supporters, making it one of the largest informal gatherings of side-by-side enthusiasts in the area this year. What started as a simple idea between friends quickly snowballed into a full-scale community effort, complete with a pressure washer giveaway, volunteer support, and a clear mission: raise as much money as possible for emergency services.
“Me, Charlie, and Devyn just wanted to do something for the Hastings Fire Department,” McGraw explained. “We’ve all got side-by-sides, and we thought, why not use our passion for something that gives back?”
The core of the event was a donation-based ride, where participants contributed $20 per adult to join in. Every penny raised, including funds from the equipment giveaway, went directly to the fire department. In total, over $8,400 were raised. No one involved in planning or executing the event was paid; it was 100% volunteer driven.
“Everyone who’s here today, from the riders to the volunteers, is doing it for the right reasons,” said Weber. “The fire department is always there when we need them. This was a way for us to be there for them.”
But the ride was about more than just fundraising. It was also a chance to raise awareness and change perceptions about side-by-side vehicles, especially among city officials and residents who may view them as dangerous or disruptive.
“We wanted to show the city that this is a safe, family-oriented sport,” said Dimmick-Partington. “We’re not out here tearing things up. We’re wearing seat belts, using turn signals, headlights, helmets, everything we’re supposed to.”
Safety was emphasized throughout the event. Dakota County Sheriff’s deputies assisted with traffic control at the start of the ride, and organizers made it clear that any reckless behavior wouldn’t be tolerated.
“I talked to the officer before the ride started,” said one observer. “We both agreed, no one here is trying to cause trouble. They just want to ride, raise money, and have a good time.”
The side goal of the event was to help persuade the Hastings City Council to reconsider its current ban on side-by-sides within city limits. While snowmobiles are allowed in designated corridors, side-by-sides are prohibited entirely. That limitation, the organizers argue, puts unnecessary constraints on local riders, and local businesses miss out, too.
“I live in town,” Weber said. “And I’d love to be able to hop in my side-by-side, grab gas, hit the car wash, or stop for lunch without needing a trailer.”
Dimmick-Partington added, “Even those of us outside of town want to be able to come in and support the restaurants, gas stations, and stores. But we can’t do that easily unless the rules change.”
In addition to advocating for access, the ride highlighted the community-building potential of the side-by-side lifestyle. Riders came from all over the region, some from as far away as South Dakota and many spanning generations.
“We had kids as young as five and adults in their seventies out here today,” said McGraw. “It’s something families can do together, and it brings people together for a good cause.”
The team hopes this ride becomes an annual event and sparks a larger conversation in Hastings about modernizing ordinances around recreational vehicles.
“We think the city just doesn’t know what side-by-sides are all about,” said Dimmick-Partington. “Events like this can help open their eyes.”
One thing’s for sure, the Hastings Fire Department now has a little extra support from a group of dedicated residents who saw an opportunity to give back and took it, one ride at a time.