‘It’s all about the motorcycles’ at Friday the 13th in Port Dover

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Lengthy processions of bikes roared into Port Dover for a Friday the 13th custom that goes again 40 years.  

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By mid-morning the lakeside city of seven,000 was already thumping with loud rock music, thick crowds of pedestrians and, after all, rows of gleaming bikes of each make, mannequin, color and design.  

“It’s all in regards to the bikes,” mentioned Raila Rintala of Toronto, who rode into city together with her husband Alan. “It’s enjoyable whenever you’re using in, and persons are waving and taking footage. You’re feeling like a star.” 

With riders coming and going all day and into the evening, it’s onerous to peg simply how many individuals will attend the occasion. However Amie Ferris, director with the Port Dover Kinsmen, one of many lead organizers, mentioned with the unseasonably heat climate and vibrant sunshine, the quantity might attain 100,000. 

Chris Miller of Port Colborne, aboard his Yamaha V-Star; Harley rider Lou Moffatt of Niagara Falls; and Invoice Livingston of Fort Erie on his Honda Goldwing, gathered outdoors Knechtel’s on the Seaside the place enterprise was brisk for burgers and fries and the eatery’s well-known perch and pickerel. 

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All veterans who belong to the identical social group, they’ve made a Friday the 13th trip a little bit of a behavior – however they don’t keep too lengthy.  

“I’ve bought my shirt and my badge and my meals, so I’m good to go,” mentioned Miller. 

The roots of the occasion return to 1981 when a Port Dover motorcyclist and small group of associates bought collectively at an area bar. That they had a lot enjoyable, they determined to come back again each Friday the 13th. 

Every Friday the thirteenth, extra folks confirmed up and, when the crowds turned overwhelming, the Kinsmen took over to create a extra organized occasion and now includes months of planning, greater than 500 volunteers, and co-ordination of police, EMS, the hearth division, and Norfolk County employees. 

“It’s an awesome alternative for the group,” mentioned Norfolk Mayor Amy Martin, who was within the thick of the group sporting her Friday the 13th T-shirt.  

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A Port Dover native, Martin mentioned she has missed solely two occasions in her life. 

“I just like the vitality. It’s an awesome alternative for the group. It’s nice for tourism. I just like the respect folks have for it. They use the rubbish cans. By Saturday morning, the rubbish is gone and the roads are open.” 

The gatherings are additionally a giant money-maker, not only for year-round companies in Port Dover, however for native non-profit teams and organizations.  

Members of the Masonic Lodge in Port Dover have been promoting their model of Friday the 13th T-shirts on Major Avenue. Ian McFadden mentioned proceeds go towards maintenance of the lodge and permit the group to make donations to varied group causes.  

Manning the beer tent on Friday have been Port Dover Minor Hockey mothers and dads elevating cash that can go towards shopping for new jerseys for the younger gamers.  

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As guests loved a chilly beer, they have been entertained by Norfolk-based band, The Echelon, with Brandon Differ (guitar), Hannah Dolson (vocals, keyboard), Marlon Schott-Ramirez (drums), and Mike Matthews (bass, vocals). 

“This can be a dream come true,” mentioned Port Dover resident Differ simply earlier than taking the stage. “Taking part in in entrance of all these bikers is a milestone.” 

County of Brant city crier Larry Davis is understood for his booming voice however wasn’t about to compete with music and thunder of passing bikes as he grabbed a chew to eat on Walker Avenue.  

“You suppose they’d even hear me?” he mentioned with a smile. 

A motorcyclist for 58 years, hooked when he took his first spin on a Honda 150 as a teen, Davis now rides a Honda Goldwing 1800. He involves Friday the 13th to admire the bikes and draw some inspiration from the modifications riders undertake to make the machines their very own. 

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It may be a expensive passion, mentioned Rintala.  

“You both have a checking account or a motorcycle,” she mentioned. 

Norfolk OPP have been warning motorists to be alert to elevated bike site visitors on the roads Thursday, Friday and Saturday. There was a heightened police presence all through Port Dover for site visitors management and to “preserve a safe atmosphere.” 

A 23-year-old motorcyclist from Oxford County was killed in a crash with an SUV simply earlier than 7 a.m. Friday on Thompson Highway East in Waterford. Norfolk OPP Const. Andrew Gamble mentioned on Friday afternoon he had no details about whether or not the motorcyclist was on the way in which to Port Dover.

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