By Andrea Nicholl
The Border City will transform into biker city this weekend with the arrival of hundreds of motorcycles and thousands of spectators.
The fourth annual Border Bike Rally will consume the city, bringing in the bikers and revving up tourism.
Lions Club member and founder Nick Laley says the rally has grown “big time” and this year should trump last, especially if the nice weather continues.
“It’s been so successful but year after year we’ve had bad weather, so I’m hoping this is our year,” he said, adding organizers hope to hit the 1,000 bike mark.
In its first year BBR was a one day event showing 238 bikes and 159 participants for the white cane poker run. By its second year BBR had become a weekend rally growing to include 470 bikes and 270 poker run participants. Last year, BBR attracted 670 bikes and 315 poker run participants.
“It’s done the town big-time good. Everybody supports it because it brings so many people into town,” said Laley, adding bikers and visitors come from across Canada and few make the trip from the States.
“We talk to some of the businesses afterward and they’re really happy with it. I think it adds to our city quite a bit.”
Statistics show that during the second year 86 per cent of attendees came from within a 50 mile radius while last year only 60 per cent came from the same area. Organizers say it’s evidence that the event is growing and they’re hoping the numbers become a 50/50 split this year, equally attracting locals and those abroad.
Despite its popularity, the rally hasn’t always been so welcomed. Laley says when BBR began four years ago not all Lions members were on board and some residents feared the biker stereotype of drugs, crime and intimidation.
“Some of the members were against it because of the biker image, but once we started having it everyone was all for it. They can see it now, not everyone could understand it before,” he said.
“We’re not bad people. We just like that freedom to ride out in the wind.”
Laley admits all rallies are unique but says the Border City’s trademark is its family-friendly atmosphere.
“It’s for the community. It’s a family thing and it hasn’t anything to do with the traditional biker image,” he said, adding this year’s rally will include vintage flat-track racing, a rodeo, 30 vendors, Just Kruzin’ car club, two cabarets, kids’ events and more.
“There’s lots going on.
“We guarantee that everyone will enjoy themselves and be entertained.”
For more information and tickets visit www.borderbikerally.com. Gates will open at the Exhibition Grounds 4 p.m. on Friday and 7:30 a.m. on Saturday. If you miss the rally, you can catch the biker parade (white cane poker run) on Saturday at 9 a.m. along 50 Avenue west to Vermilion.