48 States Converge on Florida: Love Surrounds You™ Announces 5th Annual Rally & Ride Out of the Darkness™ with SUN ‘n FUN as Presenting Sponsor
- Allick Jorgensen
- Sep 2
- 3 min read
Lakeland, FL – In recognition of Suicide Awareness Month, Love Surrounds You™ today announced the 5th Annual Rally & Ride Out of the Darkness™, set for Saturday, October 4, 2025, with SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo Campus named as the Presenting Sponsor.
What began as a local remembrance ride has become a nationwide movement for mental health and hope. In 2025, convoys from all 48 continental U.S. states—including motorcycles, Jeeps, trucks, and cars—will join the Ride Out of the Darkness Travel Train, converging in Lakeland, Florida, to ensure voices of healing and resilience are seen and heard across America.
📺 Watch the movement video here: YouTube.com/watch?v=YOZVb-d4ScY
The Rally & Ride begins at Auburndale Speedway, with morning registration for all vehicles. Participants then take part in an approximately 45-minute fully escorted ride through Polk County, led by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Lakeland Police Department, Auburndale Police Department, and the Infidels Motorcycle Club, all active and retired military. The ride concludes at SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus for a community rally featuring live music, vendors, community resources, raffles, food trucks, wellness resources, and family activities.
Veterans, families, Jeep clubs, car clubs, and truck enthusiasts—every wheel on the road represents someone choosing to ride for life, hope, and connection. During Suicide Awareness Month, we’re uniting all vehicles and all voices to show America that no one is alone.
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National Resource Partnerships
Beyond the ride, Love Surrounds You™ is building a nationwide referral network of mental health resources, nonprofits, and 501(c)(3) partners. The goal is to connect people in every state with the help they need—from counseling to veteran services, from grief support to family programs.
Mental health is a serious concern for millions of Americans, especially our veterans. Through this initiative, the organization is actively connecting individuals to care today. Most recently, Love Surrounds You™ helped a struggling veteran in Hawaii find immediate counseling support—showing that no matter where someone lives, the network of love and resources is there for them.
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Pre-Ride Welcome Party
Out-of-state riders who’ve traveled hundreds of miles to join the movement will be honored at a Meet & Greet Welcome Party at Lakeland Harley-Davidson on Friday, October 3, 2025, from 4 PM – 6 PM. Community members are invited to come out, meet participants from across the country, and celebrate the spirit of unity before ride day.
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Commemorative Air Force Tampa Bay Wing Joins the Movement
This year, the skies will be just as powerful as the roads. The Commemorative Air Force Tampa Bay Wing is partnering with Love Surrounds You™ to honor the 5th Annual Rally & Ride Out of the Darkness™ with a full-force aerial tribute.
• Flyover & Air Cover: At the start of the ride, aircraft will provide air cover from Auburndale Speedway all the way to SUN ‘n FUN, including multiple flybys and a single-file formation while participants park.
• National Anthem Flyover: At the rally, the Wing will time a breathtaking smoke flyover to coincide precisely with the words “land of the free and home of the brave” during the National Anthem.
• Flight Experiences for the Community: From 11 AM to 3 PM, the Wing will donate eight flight experiences per hour, giving veterans and community members the rare chance to soar in historic aircraft as part of this powerful day of unity.
• Color Guard: A ceremonial Color Guard presentation will also take place at SUN ‘n FUN, uniting air and ground in tribute.
This partnership adds a stirring, patriotic dimension to the event—reminding all in attendance that both on the ground and in the air, love and unity surround us.
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Event Details
• Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025
• Start: Auburndale Speedway (Winter Haven, FL) | 8–9 AM registration
• Ride: Kickstands up / engines on at 10 AM | ~45-minute full law enforcement escort
• End & Rally: SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus (Lakeland, FL) | 11 AM – 3 PM
• Pre-registration deadline (shirt included): September 7, 2025
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About Love Surrounds You™
Founded in memory of Kristen Tenpenny, Love Surrounds You™ is a nonprofit dedicated to mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and community healing. Through national events, referral networks, and support groups, the organization inspires individuals to move from darkness to light and ensures that love always surrounds those in need.
Media Contact:
Amanda Burns
Founder, Love Surrounds You™
