4 minute read
Hogs for Hospice - back in the saddle
By Mark Ribble
Photos by Deanna Bertrand and Mark Ribble
The Hogs for Hospice Motorcycle Rally weekend was all it was advertised as patrons, concertgoers and residents all enjoyed being ‘back in the saddle.’
Thousands came to Seacliff Park to enjoy the vendors, events and concerts.
About 1,900 bikes were registered and most of them made their way to the tip of Point Pelee, back to Kingsville and then returned to Seacliff Park on Saturday after the registered ride.
Residents lined Robson Road, Point Pelee Drive and Seacliff Drive as they anxiously awaited the enormous group of motorcycles during the ride.
Hogs for Hospice board member Joe Oswald was thrilled with the way the weekend turned out.
The group of board members took to the concert stage on both Friday and Saturday nights and thanked the crowds, the bands, the volunteers and sponsors for making the weekend such a success.
About 4,000 attended Friday night’s concerts, where Vertical Horizon opened for rock legends The Cult. Saturday, the amphitheatre area was jammed with a soldout crowd of about 6,000 country music lovers as Blackjack Billy opened for country music star Brett Young.
Country music star Brett Young headlined Saturday night’s concert, which turned into a sold out show attracting 6,000 music lovers.
Oswald announced that every dollar from every concert ticket sold goes to Erie Shores Hospice, made possible by the generosity of the sponsors, who covered the costs of all bands performing.
Throw in the annual Biker Rodeo and a new Junior Biker Rodeo this year, sponsored by the Bad Examples Motorcycle Club and the Cannabis Retail Store, and you’ve got the makings of some great family fun.
A delicious pancake breakfast cooked by the Lions Club greeted early-risers on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Oswald said the weekend wouldn’t be possible without their volunteers.
“Those Hogs for Hospice Ambassadors make this the success it is,” he said. “There are about 420 of them and they are invaluable.”
A high-flying moto-cross group performed several times at the top of the hill on Seacliff Drive to the delight of hundreds of thrill-seeking fans.
One of the trick riders makes a jump onto the ramp that was set up on Seacliff Drive.
The H4H Ambassadors could be seen throughout the park and surrounding streets, offering directions, assistance and even cold bottled water to anyone in need.
The weekend went off without a hitch and the weather was perfect for a summer event at the beach. It also gave a huge kick-start to the Hogs for Hospice 50-50 raffle, which went from a grand total of $50,000 to just over $220,000 by Tuesday’s press time.
See more photos from Hogs for Hospice below:
Mia Murray, 6, had her face painted by Kim Rosenfeld.
The crowd Saturday night getting ready for the country concert.
A young competitor in the Junior Bike Rodeo.
The Tour of the Tip made a stop in Kingsville.
Catch the Water Balloon event at the Biker Rodeo.
Joe Oswald speaks on behalf of the Hogs Board prior to the Brett Young concert.
About 1,000 bikes participated in the Ride to the Tip, including this excited couple.
Eagerly awaiting the start of the big ride.
Ninety-year-old Robert Shorty Wallace was likely the oldest rider on the tour, as his daughter Becky gives the thumbs up.
Paying Cash entertains during the Kingsville stop.
Brett Young sits centre stage on Saturday night.
Volunteers Bruce Medcalf, Holly Adams and Dennis Edmondson serve up pancakes at the Lions Club Pancake Breakfast, held Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Leamington Fire Services launched the American and Canadian flags above Robson Road to greet riders as the Tour to the Tip ride got underway. Residents greeted the bikers as they made their way through the route.
The Cult lead singer Ian Astbury performs for about 4,000 fans Friday night.
Matt Scannell of Vertical Horizon on stage Friday night.
Crowds begin to gather for the Tour The Tip ride on Saturday morning.
