'Hogs for Hospice' is moving forward after a letter criticizing the event went viral on social media over the weekend.
In an email to the town, a Leamington resident called the event "rough and tough" adding many of those involved are "drinkers, smokers, tattoo-laden, with drugs and even more".
'Hogs for Hospice' organizer, Joe Oswald, says anyone is entitled to an opinion, but there's no question the event is great for the community.
Over the past two years, riders have raised more than $250,000 for hospice.
Oswald tells CTV Windsor, despite what some may think, it's a family friendly event. "To us, it's always been about moving forward and making an event that our community and our guests can be very proud of. This is something that we are very proud of. What started off as an event for health care has truly brought a community together on all aspects."
"The event is great on many levels," says Oswald. "It has truly helped out our community, as a whole, economically. All the hotels were sold out last year, the bed and breakfasts, the motels, restaurants flourished, our retail stores flourished. So it's one of those 'everyone wins.'"
Leamington Mayor John Paterson says he was surprised by the letter. "I had to read it about four times to really, I guess, to get a grasp of what was being said. It's one person's opinion about one of the greatest events that this municipality has had in a very, very long time."
The Leamington resident who wrote the letter has since apologized on social media.
The 2018 edition of 'Hogs for Hospice' goes the weekend of August 3rd.