ALBERTA NEWSPAPER GROUP FILE PHOTO
Peggy Reding takes part in the 2018 Blessing of the Bikes Ceremony in Redcliff. The event is happening in early May this year and has become a tradition for many.
mcranker@medicinehatnews.com@MHNmocranker
The Blessing of the Bikes has become a tradition for motorcycle riders all over southern Alberta.
The event is running this year May 5 and is a way for bikers to kick off the riding season.
“We hold a church service in May at the start of the riding season to give riders a little bit more divine guidance and protection,” said media relations head Heather McCaig. “We do a mini memorial for all of the riders we’ve lost in the last year and then the minister comes outside and does a blessing on each of our bikes with each rider to wish them a safe riding season.”
McCaig says the event has grown in many ways over the years.
“This is a unique, fun event,” she said. “We actually have people ride in from Lethbridge and Calgary for this – even when it’s raining.
“Religious or not, I don’t think it hurts to have a little extra guidance behind you – this brings a lot of us together and it’s nice to see everyone at the start of the riding season.”
The event is open to all riders, all makes of bikers and is for people of all religious beliefs.
“We have riding groups in Medicine Hat and our community works together,” she said. “This is something we do and we welcome everyone.”
The event started in New York in the 1990s and has been running locally since at least 2008.
The service this year will start at 10:30 a.m. at Gordon Memorial Church in Redcliff. People are encouraged to get there a bit early to get a spot.
