Wharf Rat Rally needs help
Volunteer co-ordinator says at least 300 are needed
Volunteers are needed to help ensure this year’s Wharf Rat Rally runs as smoothly as a fine tuned Harley engine.
Murray Trask is the rally’s volunteer co-ordinator and says more than 300 volunteers are needed each year.
The rally takes place Aug. 30 to Sept. 3, and is looking to get more young people involved.
“Most of our volunteers are retired,” says Trask. “It would be really great to get younger people involved, since they are the future of Digby and of the rally.”
Volunteers are needed for a variety of tasks and events including social media promotion of the festival, shuttles and even Show and Shine, when the best of the best of the motorcycles are shown off and judged for prizes.
“Our volunteers we already get return year after year because they are dedicated to the festival. After their first year volunteering, they have so much fun they can’t wait to get back the next year,” he says.
As far as misconceptions surrounding the rally, Trask has clarified that the event is attended by both retired people and working professionals of all ages.
“This is one of the biggest events in this end of the province, and you can bet that it draws people of all ages – those that are just old enough to drive a bike, and those that have been driving them for years,” says Trask.
He credits the success of the event largely to the volunteers, since they make up nearly all personnel who work during the festival.
“The rally generates a lot of money for the area from the people who come here and buy souvenirs, eat at restaurants and spend the night. We could never make it happen without the volunteers.”
He wants people to know that while volunteers are assigned certain tasks for the rally’s duration, it’s not all work and no play.
“Volunteers always talk about the fun they have in meeting new people, talking about bikes and celebrating Digby,” he says.
“People from all over – Australia, other parts of Canada, the United States — come to Digby for this, so it’s a great opportunity to get to know new people.”