Hundreds of motorcyclists expected at this event

NEWS RELEASE

MOTORCYCLES ON THE MAC

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Motorcyclists expected by the hundreds at St. Ignace event

Hundreds of bikers in search of the perfect road trip will don leathers and point their handlebars toward St. Ignace, Michigan later this month, making their way to the inaugural Motorcycles on the Mac event, August 19-20.

Participants will find a busy slate of activities awaiting them on Saturday, including a bike caravan across the Mackinac Bridge, a very special luncheon, a lighted bike parade around St. Ignace, two live bands and a fireworks display to cap the evening.

Motorcyclists in Michigan have long known a 30-year tradition called the Midnight Ride – a charity ride in the middle of the night that started in Grand Rapids and ended in St. Ignace, all for the benefit of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

With the death of organizer Ron Rowe last November, the Midnight Ride tradition came to a close, but the inaugural Motorcycles on the Mac will pay homage to his legacy and his cause.

“Part of the event’s activities will include recognition of Ron and his efforts during the Saturday luncheon,” explained St. Ignace Visitors Bureau Director Gina Stegehuis. “We are particularly pleased that Ron’s son, Scott, will be on hand to ring the bell – the ritual start of every ride by his father – in honor of his Dad,” she noted.

Participants will also be able to make donations to JDRF in Rowe’s memory.

Events kick off on Friday night, when pr-registration opens from 5-8 p.m. at the St. Ignace Chamber of Commerce.

From 7-9 p.m. that same evening, live music will welcome bikers to Friday Night Bike Night, held at First National Bank.

Staging begins on Saturday morning for the parade across the bridge, slated for 9:30 a.m. and followed by lunch at Noon and a poker run at 2 p.m.

By 5 p.m., motorcyclists are invited to park their bikes and enjoy two live bands at the St. Ignace Marina dock.

Cheboygan’s Brewhouse Band will play classic rock and oldies and Lookin’ Back, a Bob Seger tribute band, will play all of the Detroit rocker’s most memorable songs.

Admission is covered as part of registration for bikers and the public is welcome to enjoy these two bands for a cover charge of $5.

Around 9:15 p.m., a lighted parade of bikes will take off from Little Bear Arena in a procession around the downtown before fireworks are launched at 10 p.m.

Advanced registration for the event is available at stignace.com.

For more information, call (800) 338-6660.

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