12th Annual Shady Brady Memorial Ride

[Cross, Steve]

Press Release for the Shady Brady Memorial Ride (This Weekend)

TN Firemen’s Association Supports the Tennessee Fallen Firefighter Memorial with its 12th Annual Shady Brady Ride

Shelbyville, TN (April 11th, 2026)— The Tennessee Firemen’s Association (TFA) is set for the 12th Annual Shady Brady Memorial Ride benefiting the Tennessee Fallen Firefighter Memorial located in Bell Buckle, Tennessee.

The ride begins from three separate locations:

• Sparta Fire Department (715 N Spring Street, Sparta, Tennessee)
• Benton County Rescue Squad (295 Factory Street, Camden, Tennessee)
• First Tennessee Pavilion Parking (1826 Reggie White Boulevard, Chattanooga, Tennessee).

The ride culminates at the Tennessee Fire and Codes Enforcement Academy, located at 2161 Unionville-Deason Road in Bell Buckle.

Participation in the ride is only $25 per vehicle, with all profits going to the Tennessee Fallen Firefighter Memorial.

T-shirts will be available for purchase on the day of the ride.

Auction Item and Door Prizes

About the Shady Brady Memorial Ride:

The ride was created by the late Barry Brady, who has become a legend in the Tennessee fire service. Brady’s unfortunate battle with colon cancer sparked a movement to pass The Barry Brady Act (2019), which allowed firefighters to be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits if they were diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, colon cancer, skin cancer, multiple myeloma, leukemia, or testicular cancer. More cancers are being added every year as they relate.

Brady, TFA President 2018, served on the Board of Directors for the Tennessee Fallen Firefighter Memorial. He always advocated for unique ways to raise money for the memorial’s upkeep and maintenance, and for families affected by firefighter deaths in the state of Tennessee. Since its inception, the ride has raised nearly $53,000 for the memorial.

Dawn Brady, Barry’s widow, said, “It warms my heart that we continue to have such a big draw to this event each year. Barry would be so proud that this event has continued to be a success and provides significant income to the memorial.” 

To find out more about how you can join in on the fun, visit tnfiremen.com and head over to the Shady Brady Ride page or follow us on Facebook.

About Tennessee Firemen’s Association (TFA)

The TFA was initiated to create, maintain, and perpetuate a fraternal spirit among its members, develop and implement educational and networking opportunities, and suggest helpful legislation to state leaders. This organization seeks to do all things possible to educate its members, improve the service they are called upon to render, and enhance the value and dignity of their profession.

We are a family that is built upon a foundation of lifting one another and paving the way for our members to improve and enhance the services they are called to provide to their respective communities.

If you cannot participate but would like to support the event, please contact the media contact below to get information on how to contribute.

Media Contact:

Brandi Mezime

Public Information Officer, TFA

Bme...@gmail.com

Steve

Steven E. Cross, MA, CFO
Fire Management Consultant | Program Manager
UT Municipal Technical Advisory Service

1610 University Avenue
Knoxville, Tennessee 37921

Steven...@tennessee.edu
(615) 532.7108 | (931) 981.3593 Cell

mtas.tennessee.edu