LOGANTON — A little over a week ago, under grey and cloudy skies, a convoy of dozens of vehicles formed at the east end of Loganton. They weren’t transporting expensive goods or merchandise across the country. They were hauling something much more precious — memories of their friends, Danny Tyson and Les Hanford, who both passed away over the past five years, Dan in 2021 and Les in 2023.

The first Sugar Valley Memorial Day Cruise was organized by Dan himself in 2020. For 18 years prior to his sudden passing, he was the Grand Marshal for the Loganton Memorial Day parade, but when COVID19 struck, causing the Loganton parade to be canceled, he didn’t want the community to forget the importance of the day, or those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Danny and his friends, including Les Hanford, were all-in, and the citizens of Sugar Valley welcomed the excitement and the change of pace after being isolated for months.

People stood on their porches from Loganton to Tylersville, to Eastville to Carroll, and back again, waving and smiling at the line of classic cars, souped-up trucks and motorcycles, as Dan led the way in his iconic dark green 1968 Roadrunner.

They decided to continue the cruise the next year and discussed it becoming an annual event the Sunday before Memorial Day, no matter what was going on in the world.

Danny would have one more cruise, for on Nov. 27, 2021, he unexpectedly suffered a stroke that he ultimately succumbed to.

Les and Jill Hanford and Shane Hinds, along with Dan’s son, John Paul Tyson, knew the show must go on for their buddy. The 2022 and 2023 cruises were dedicated to Dan, with John Paul leading the car parade in his dad’s Roadrunner.

“After Dan passed Les decided to continue the cruise in his memory,” said Jill. Les fell ill not long after and the “pay it forward” aspect continued. “John Paul felt he wanted to help, knowing Les had medical issues,” she explained.

And then tragedy would strike once again, when two years to the date, Les passed away on Nov. 27, 2023.

Since then, thanks to John Paul and Jill, the event is now known as the “Dan Tyson and Les Hanford Memorial Cruise,” and has continued to make the people of Sugar Valley step onto their porches and set up chairs for a glimpse of what a community together can do, despite disease, bad weather or tragedy.

Jill was the host this year as the cruise entered its sixth year. “This year I took the lead because John Paul is now in North Carolina. I made him cohost of the cruise, and he drove up for the day to be part of it all, and to be with everyone who loves each other — because we do,” she said with a smile. “It’s good fun, just like the old days, and we all need more of these kinds of get-togethers with each other. That is what Dan and Les loved — their people.”

The 2026 cruise was just as exciting as the first, and as the green Roadrunner crested Bunker Hill on East Main Street, John Paul revved his engine and people the whole way down the hill stood up out of respect. Les and Dan’s league of rowdy friends and family kept the pace as they began the almost 34 mile journey around the Valley.

Jill followed behind John Paul in her red 1979 Z-28, and their son, Luke, drove his dad’s 2017 truck — a Dodge Duelley. “That was Les’s truck. He bought the Z for me, and I bought the truck for him,” she recalled. “It was the first new vehicle he ever owned. Our son, Luke, drove it in the cruise because it was too cold to drive his dad’s Harley.”

“The 2026 cruise was a success with over 25 cars all together and 50 people attending,” said Jill. Maybe due to a little help from above. “I talked to Dan and Les and they kept the rain from falling.”

Following the cruise there was a get-together at the Lion’s Club picnic grounds in Booneville, where they provided hamburgers and hotdogs, and welcomed guests to bring a covered dish. “Shane Hinds, a good friend of Les and Dan’s, helped me with a lot this year, even the cooking. He had been helping line up the parade for years with Dan.”

For those who would like to be part of next year’s “Dan Tyson and Les Hanford Memorial Cruise,” Jill says they can check out social media, or just show up.

“It is a Facebook event open to the public. Anyone can be a part of the cruise — any type of vehicle is welcome. Anyone interested can message me through Facebook or the event page.”

“It gives me goosebumps to think they are so happy that we can all still get together and enjoy a small piece of what they created.”