ROXANA PROMISES to be motorcycle central Sunday for the 10th annual Blessing of the Bikes.
Bikers also will dedicate what they call the only memorial to fallen bikers in the state.
The events should draw hundreds of bikers, said Bob Myers, a member of several area clubs and a state officer with A.B.A.T.E., a biker's organization that lobbies for safety and biker rights.
Hosted by the Outlanders Riding Club, the day starts at 8:30 a.m., with a biker's breakfast at the Church of the Nazarene in Roxana. Church services are at 10:30 p.m.
There also will be free hot dogs, chili and other refreshments at the Roxana Community Park during the morning. Myers said there are plenty of chances for people to talk and get reacquainted with old friends. Then ceremonies will begin at noon.
The Rev. Larry Lacher of the Church of the Nazarene will bless the bikes.
"He's done it every year for us," Myers said. "He and the church are very much involved in the blessing and the memorial."
Myers said the memorial to motorcycle riders who have died is in the park near the village administration building and was conceived and finished in about a year.
"It was back in 2006 when we decided to build a memorial to riders who have died," Myers said. "We had a few meetings and broke ground in September. "We have between $11,000 and $12,000 in this."
The village of Roxana provided the land and some of the earthwork and a lot of area motorcycle dealers contributed.
Myers said a few things remain to be done including attaching some bronze memorial plaques. He said 12 different clubs and organizations have been working together on the memorial.
"It's the only one in the state that I can find," he said.
The dedication ceremony will feature the reading of all the names on the bricks that have been donated. The total is nearly 80.
"We'll have a table set up there to solicit interest in the memorial," Myers said. "Bricks currently cost about $50."
The event is open to all motorcyclists. The food is free, although donations are accepted.
"We're hoping for a real big turnout," he said.
Wally Spiers' column runs five days a week. Have a column idea? Call Wally at 239-2506 or (800) 642-3878; or e-mail: wspiers@bnd.com
