6th annual Blessing of the Bikes marks opening of motorcycle season

KINGSVILLE – First Lutheran Church in Kingsville and Hogs for Hospice invite motorcycle riders and the community for the 6th annual Blessing of the Bikes.

This public and family friendly gathering opens the 2022 riding season with a blessing for the riders to have a safe year and promote a sense of fellowship among riders and community.

All these elements support the motto of Hogs for Hospice, “Brotherhood, Sisterhood, and Doing Good.”

The event begins with an outdoor worship service at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 1 at First Lutheran Church in Kingsville, 27 Spruce Street North. Immediately after the service, starting at 11:45 a.m., all riders meet in front of the church for the general blessing, followed by personal prayers for individual riders.

Traditionally, each rider obtains an annual sticker as a reminder of the bestowed blessing.

The rest of the day, riders will enjoy camaraderie, food and live music.

Donations are welcome and will be used to support people with intellectual disabilities in the community.

This is a signature event for bikers and motorcycle enthusiasts across Southwest Ontario. In 2021, despite COVID restrictions, over 500 attendees were present for a socially distanced event that still featured the Blessing of the Bikes, but in smaller groups as opposed to a large corporate blessing.