Bikes blessed at annual gathering
A large group of people gathered Sunday morning at Redcliff’s Gordon Memorial Church, but what they experienced wasn’t your average church service.
The day marked the annual Blessing of the Bikes ceremony, which has been held for roughly 25 years, said the event’s greeter Heather McCaig.
“This is something we’ve done for a long time, just coming together in fellowship,” she said. “We hold this every year on the first Sunday of May and it’s just really fun to bring all of the local biker groups together for the day.”
After meeting for a 40minute service, the group of more than 60 bikers gathered outside where reverend Blaine Schaufele blessed each rider and their bike individually.
“We do this for a little more divine assistance while we’re out there riding,” McCaig said. “We also hold this to remember those who have fallen in our community within the past year, as well as giving newer riders this experience for the first time.”
More than 100 riders have attended the past two year’s services, said McCaig, but the rain this year kept many away.
“This year we’ve been hoping to see about half the amount of people with the rain,” she said. “Getting 64 is still very good for us, and we’re very happy to see so many people turn out year after year.”
Organizer Daniel Magee said the event is a great way for motorcycle enthusiasts to start the biking season.
“We come together as a group to kickoff our year,” he said. “We also want to remind people that we are now out for the season, they’re going to see us on the roads and in town.”
Magee said the event has become a tradition for many.
“A lot of riders have their own faiths and superstitions and we don’t argue with them,” he said. “Coming out to this event has become a part of their routine and we’re not going to tell anyone to stop coming that believes this is a good thing.”