AUGUSTA – Black leather, gleaming chrome and rumbling engines filled Capital Park on Sunday for the United Bikers of Maine’s 22nd annual Toy Run.

An estimated 24,000 motorcyclists from all over New England descended on the park in front of the State House. With stuffed animals and toys strapped to their handlebars or riding on the back, the bikers roared into the city to donate their gifts to The Salvation Army for its annual Christmas distribution to needy children.

The bikers have contributed more than 1 million toys since the inaugural Toy Run of 1981, according to organizers.

“I came to the first one, and there was probably 100 bikes,” observed Nick Boetsch of the Dirty Herb Gang from Union as he stood beside his 1972 Harley-Davidson FLH. “This is the first one I’ve been to since then and now look at it, there must be 20,000.”

It was hard to estimate the exact number of riders as the city was filled throughout the day with bikes. From Harley-Davidsons to German racing bikes, to Japanese rice burners, all of them polished to perfection and sparkling in the sun.

Gov. John Baldacci, riding his new Harley-Davidson Sportster, led the pack as the throng of bikers rode from the Augusta Civic Center to Capital Park. It was a picnic atmosphere all along the parade route, and families had their grills flaming and cold drinks flowing on the sun-splashed afternoon.

State Street was lined with observers watching the bikes thunder beneath the shadow of the Capitol dome. People even filled the steps and front wall of the Blaine House to watch the bikes roar by.

The bikers began roaring through town early, managing to let Gov. Baldacci know of their presence as he and his wife were sitting down to breakfast.

“I could hear the chrome at breakfast,” Baldacci joked as he walked through Capital Park with U.S. Rep. Tom Allen. U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud also attended the event.

Baldacci, a first-time bike owner, went for an early morning ride on his bike before joining the procession to the park. Baldacci said he enjoyed the ride and suggested Allen try out a Harley himself.

UBM president Mac McCreary estimated that as many as 24,000 bikers made the trip from all corners of Maine and throughout New England. McCreary said Baldacci was the second Maine governor to take part in the toy run, following in the tracks of former Gov. Angus King, who also would ride his Harley to the event.

McCreary said the donations of stuffed animals, games and other toys filled three box trucks. The Salvation Army distributes the toys to needy children every Christmas.

“It sure has grown a lot from the early days,” McCreary said as he surveyed the crowd. “This is one of the biggest toy runs in the country and the biggest in New England.

“I want to thank everybody who came out to support the kids and everybody who helped put in one. Kids seem to be a common drawing point for motorcyclists.”

The Maine Association of Elks Clubs also was at the event, raising funds for the Maine Children’s Cancer Program. The Elks raised $32,000 raffling off a new Harley last year and expected to do even better with this year’s prize of a 2003 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy with a carrying trailer.

Thousands of leather-clad bikers strolled the grounds as vendors sold food and motorcycle-oriented clothing and accessories. In the middle of it all was a ground nest swarming with yellow jackets. The nest was staked out and cordoned off with security tape to protect the crowd from stings. It seemed to work.

With the state Capitol as their backdrop, the Providence, R.I., band Mill City Rockers, billed as America’s Favorite Biker Band, had the crowd dancing as they blasted hard-core rock and roll from a flatbed trailer.

Also attending the event was Ralph “Sonny” Barger, former president of the Hell’s Angels. The appearance of Barger, who is no longer an officer of the club but still a member, was sponsored by the Canaan Hell’s Angels. He was on hand to sign copies of his books, “Hell’s Angels” and “Ridin’ High Livin’ Free” and pose for photographs with his many fans.

“I’m still a member but no longer an officer,” the middle-aged Barger said. “It’s time for the young guys to run the club now.”

Barger said he just returned from Austria where more than 60,000 attended Euro Bike Week and celebrated the 100th anniversary of Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

“Maine’s nice, it’s all right.” observed the legendary outlaw biker. “Every place is pretty much the same when you see a lot of riders in a festive atmosphere. We just left Austria, and it looks the same as this.”

Dirty Herb Gang head Herb Harriman of Union described the event as an overwhelming success. Harriman and his pals from the midcoast have been riding together for nearly 30 years, and a group of them always manages to take part in the toy run.

“It’s a great time,” said Harriman. “It’s a good opportunity to help some kids and also to see all the different bikes. You see people you only see once a year here. It’s a real peaceful, fun gathering.”