Revvin’ up for the rally
Many activities planned for annual Wharf Rat Rally in Digby
As Wharf Rat Rally organizers were gearing up for the annual rally’s 14th edition – set to take place Aug. 29 to Sept. 2 – the one thing they couldn’t prepare for was the weather.
“The weather is one of our main concerns because if it’s raining, no one wants to be outside,” said Laura Simmons, the rally’s executive director.
Last year it didn’t rain during the rally, but it was cold and cloudy. Simmons remembers the rally in 2013 when it rained on and off all day. This caused organizers to call off events, which ended up taking place anyway because the rain stopped within 15 minutes.
Per the rally’s statistics, they figure 74 per cent of those who come to the rally are from Nova Scotia, so if it rains, those visitors will wait until it stops raining before coming to Digby.
The other 26 per cent are from out of province. Those visitors have accommodations booked in and around Digby, so no matter the weather they will show up.
The province released an economic impact statement in May announcing the Wharf Rat Rally provided an economic boost to the provincial economy of $4.9 million.
According to a media release issued by the Wharf Rat Rally Motorcycle Association, the study The Wharf Rat Rally is a big event in Digby. This is an image from last year’s rally showing lots of motorcycles in town. consisted of three parts.
Staff from the rally and the province issued survey questions during the rally, where a team of volunteers asked visitors to complete the questions and other volunteers counted visitors as they entered parts of the town.
After the rally, the Paradigm Consulting Group compiled the results into a report that was returned to the province and the Wharf Rat Rally Motorcycle Association.
The study showed the percentage of out-of-province visitors was up slightly from 24 per cent to 26 per cent, and the total boost to Nova Scotia’s economy had risen from $4.2 million in 2011 to $4.9 million in 2017.
However, the Wharf Rat Rally Motorcycle Association has no way of determining if this year will be as successful or more successful.
Organizers remind the public registering during rally weekend helps the organization make money.
Whether visitors are biking, walking, or driving a vehicle, paying the $10 registration fee goes directly back to the Wharf Rat Rally.
Visitors can register at the Welcome Centre at Tim Horton’s on Warwick Street or at the tent set up across from the Wharf Rat headquarters.
There are some new activities to keep an eye out for this year.
The Royal Canadian Legion is sponsoring the beer tent, which will be located at the Digby Marina.
On Saturday Sept. 1, the rally is bringing back the Light the Night ride. Motorcycles will be lit up with strands of lights, riding through town at 9:15. After arriving downtown, prizes will be given out for the best-decorated bikes.
On Sunday, Sept. 2, there will be a Maud Lewis tour for bikers. Riders will travel to the Maud Lewis Replica House in Digby, then do a loop back to the Maud Lewis Memorial Site and then visit her burial site.
Christina Billings, a professional stunt woman, will be on site all weekend performing on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The rally will host movie nights throughout the weekend downtown. The location is still being determined, but organizers hope to project the movies onto the side of a large truck. They will show two movies a night.
There will be many returning events like rides to long-term care facilities, biker games, live entertainment, custom builders and vendors on Admiral’s Walk.
The Wharf Rat Rally takes a full year to plan and wouldn’t be possible without the support of the Wharf Rat Rally Motorcycle Association, volunteers, town and municipality, surrounding municipalities, province and sponsors.