Get ready to rev those engines
Thousands to gather for Devil’s Half Acre Motorcycle Rally
Kentville residents with a love for history will know the town was once known unofficially as the Devil’s Half Acre.
It was about seven years ago that local resident Harlon Wood and his friend, Ron Delorey – both motorcycle enthusiasts – were throwing around some ideas for a fun event that would attract people to Kentville. Their original idea was for a singleday antique motorcycle show and that concept evolved into a plans for a two-day motorcycle rally.
“We put some ideas together and talked with the town,” Wood recalls. “We were very fortunate to get the backing of the town to host this event.”
Then it was time to start thinking about a name for the rally. It was Delorey who suggested naming the event for the historical nickname for the town.
“I thought it sounded like a great idea, so we went with it,” recalls Wood, who is now the event chairman for the Devil’s Half Acre Motorcycle Rally.
Scheduled for June 24 and 25, the 2023 Devil’s Half Acre Motorcycle Rally will be the biggest and best yet, Wood promises. This will be the fourth rally, but the first since 2019. The event draws not just motorcyclists, but those who enjoy the range of activities including the stunt shows, face painting and live music. The revving of the engines, spinning of the tires and flames shooting from the exhaust will keep the crowds entertained on Aberdeen Street.
Wood remembers his first bike from many years ago – a Honda Z50 – and he has been riding ever since. He has been attending bike rallies across the region and beyond for many years but says the Devil’s Half Acre Motorcycle Rally brings in more families and young people than any other he has seen.
“It’s not just for bikers,” Wood says. “We try to include something that’s going to be fun for people of all ages.”
He doesn’t have firm numbers on attendance from previous years, but confidently says it was in the thousands.
“It brings large numbers of people into the town, which benefits not only Kentville, but the surrounding area,” Wood says. “It’s a great opportunity to show what we have to offer.”
The influx of people includes many who are making their first visit to Kentville. People from cross Atlantic Canada and the U.S. will roll into town, where they can then sample the area’s many visitor attractions.
An event like this could not happen without the support of sponsors and vendors, Wood adds. It’s been their support, along with the foresight of the town officials for getting behind the idea, that has made the Devil’s Half Acre Motorcycle Rally a success.
“If it wasn’t for our sponsors and vendors we wouldn’t be able to put this on,” he says. “It’s a fun event where everyone can get together and enjoy the festivities.”