Socialize with family and friends during the Cruise-in Friday and the benefit ride Saturday at Bumpus Harley Davidson on Northwest Broad Street. A performance by the Stones River Pilots, hamburger plates at $5 and activities will start at 6:30 p.m. The bike ride will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday with bikers leaving Bumps and riding to Henpeck Market in Franklin. People driving other vehicles are invited.

The benefit will support the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office Garden of Hope where inmates learn how to grow produce to feed their families once released from jail. Garden of Hope (Homegrown Opportunities for Personal Enrichment) is a project where inmates grew corn, tomatoes, beans, watermelons and other produce during the summer. They planted greens for the winter crops. Partners include MTSU University Community Relations, MTSU School of Agribusiness and Agriscience, Rutherford County Extension Office, Brenda Benz Elliott and Bumpus Harley Davidson.

Dr. Gloria Bonner, assistant to MTSU President Sidney McPhee, said the benefit will raise funds to build a greenhouse. “We’re seeking communitywide support to raise funds for the greenhouse,” Bonner said. “Primarily with the greenhouse, the inmates are able to raise a variety of seasonal produce. It could become a year-long program.” Working on the garden is a learning environment.

Bonner described the Bumpus events as “two fun-filled days of activities in a family-friendly environment. There will be plenty of vendors there with a variety of food items, the band is entertaining and bikers are supporting a good cause that will impact community involvement.” MTSU student Kimberly Foster, who interned with the garden, said the fee for the ride is $25 that includes lunch at Henpeck Market and a T-shirt. “It’s a time of fellowship, giving, sharing and networking,” Foster said. “It’s a great place to network and meet new people and learn about MTSU’s participation. Our purpose is to promote education and not incarceration.” For more information, call Bumpus at 849-8025.