Motorcycles, food and music were all on display at Chatham-Kent's annual BikeFest held at Tecumseh Park in downtown Chatham on August 23, 2014. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)Motorcycles, food and music were all on display at Chatham-Kent's annual BikeFest held at Tecumseh Park in downtown Chatham on August 23, 2014. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
Chatham

Bikefest Bigger Than Ever

Chatham-Kent is preparing to welcome an influx of bikers this weekend.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Chatham-Kent's biggest fundraiser of the year -- BikeFest -- is stretching out over two days this year.

Saturday will feature the popular police-escorted ride from James St. in Wallaceburg starting at 10am to Tecumseh Park in Chatham where bikers are expected to arrive at around 11am.

King St. in downtown Chatham will also be closed for motorcycle parking Saturday as organizers attempt to create an atmosphere that will be somewhat reminiscent of Port Dover on Friday the 13th, but on a smaller scale.

While King St. is filled with bikes, Tecumseh Park will be filled with live music, vendors, and a beer garden.

Perhaps the most popular event of all -- the Harley Raffle -- will take place at 8pm Saturday. Tickets will be available throughout the day with the lucky winner taking home a 2016 Harley Davidson FLSTC Heritage Softail Classic.

On Sunday, the focus will shift to Duke's Harley Davidson in Blenheim, where there will be a Poker Run, a burnout pit, a motorcycle simulator, an auction, a BBQ, and a 50/50 raffle draw.

Organizers are hoping to raise upwards of $50,000 this year now that it's a two-day event. Last year they were able to raise around $30,000.

You can find all of the details by going to the event's website, www.bikefestck.ca.

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