The 5th Annual Bryan’s Ride hits the road on Saturday, July 25, 2026, and this year’s event is shaping up to be the biggest and best yet.

Bryan’s Ride is held in honor and loving memory of Bryan Lee William Totman, who passed away in a tragic accident in July 2021 at just 9 years old. Bryan loved science and math, and he attended the Challenger Learning Center of Maine’s Astronaut Camp the week before he passed - coming home each day bursting with excitement to share everything he’d learned.

Every year, Bryan’s family and friends come together to raise funds so other kids can have opportunities they might not otherwise have. Through their nonprofit, Totman Strong, Inc. - a 501(c)(3) - proceeds from Bryan’s Ride send local Maine children to the Challenger Learning Center’s astronaut program, an experiential, hands-on adventure in science, math and space. Students are nominated by a teacher or school official, and recipients are chosen by the Challenger Center. The impact has grown fast: 5 full scholarships in 2022, 15 in 2023, 17 in 2024 and 20 in 2025, covering more than half of all the spots in the program.

For the riders: The day begins at Troy Howard Middle School, 173 Lincolnville Ave in Belfast. Registration runs from 9 to 9:45 a.m., kickstands up at 10 a.m., and the cost is just $5 per tire. The ride winds through the countryside and ends at Ames Elementary School, 165 New England Road in Searsmont, right around noon.

For everyone else: Don’t ride? No problem. Bring the whole family and meet us at Ames Elementary at noon. From noon to 2:30 p.m., there’s something for every age, including:

●        Moose’s Smokehouse food truck - pulled pork, BBQ chicken, cowboy beans, mac & cheese, cole slaw, and hot dogs

●        The Darling’s Ice Cream Truck - a big local honor to be selected, with all proceeds going straight to the cause (icecreamforacause.com)

●        A raffle stocked with dozens of amazing items, gift cards and more from local businesses

●        A special appearance by Captain America

●        Bounce house, cornhole, and games for kids and families

Guests are also encouraged to bring a book to donate to Bryan’s section at the Ames Elementary Library - a lasting tribute to a boy who loved to learn.

So come for the ride, stay for the food, games and good company, and help send a Maine kid to space camp this summer.

For more information, visit totmanstrong.org or facebook.com/totmanstrong, email totmanstrong@gmail.com, or call Sue Totman at 207-322-2567 or Nikki Ard at 207-323-8683.