MANITOULIN—Things are shaping up well for the 2017 edition of Ride Manitoulin, thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers and welcoming communities who are eager to greet the participating motorcyclists across Manitoulin.
“Registration starts at noon on Friday and our committee will be on the grounds all weekend,” said co-organizer Louise Blackwood. “Our main event is the Poker Run where for $5 riders buy a passport and have to visit five of our sponsor locations out of 13 to be dealt a poker hand. We have had tremendous support from businesses all over the Island from Gore Bay to Wikwemikong.”
Other events during Ride Manitoulin include a guided scenic tour, the ever popular Show & Shine as well as Biker Games. “We will have vendors on the grounds and are open to the public,” noted Ms. Blackwood, so if you just want to come out and see the what it is all about all are welcome. “This is our seventh annual event, always held on the third weekend of July. Our licenced beer garden is open from 2 pm to 1 am on Friday with a charity dance and karaoke hosted by a local DJ John Roy from 9 pm to 1 am at a cost of $10 per person. On Saturday, the beer garden opens at noon until 1 am. Saturday night is our charity dance from 9 pm to 1 am at a cost of $15 per person with a blues and rock band, Tim Woodcock & Friends, along with special guest, keyboardist Gregg Dechert (think Uriah Heep and the David Gilmour Band). We encourage all of our fellow Islanders to come out and see this amazing band.”
Each year the Ride Manitoulin crew pick a charity that will benefit from the event, this year that charity is the Manitoulin segment of the Alzheimer’s Society. “I think it effects everybody in one way or another,” said Ms. Blackwwod.
Ms. Blackwood notes that registration includes rough camping at the fairgrounds and access to all of the events.
“We had 150 registered last year,” noted Ms. Blackwood, but added that the organizers are anticipating a significant boost to the numbers this year as a competing event in New Liskeard has folded. The New Liskeard event was popular with motorcyclists, but volunteer burnout seems to have been a major contributing factor in its demise.
Ride Manitoulin is hosted July 14 and 15 at the Providence Bay arena and fairgrounds. Cost is $25 for weekend admission which includes rough camping.
