Over 100,000 converge on Port Dover, Ont. for Friday the 13th biker rally
Large crowds converged on Port Dover, Ont. Friday as motorcycle enthusiasts gathered for Friday the 13th.
Bikers flock to the lakeside Ontario town whenever the 13th day of the month falls on a Friday – something that happens only once in 2022.
Police estimate over 100,000 people rolled into Norfolk Country for the rally this year.
That’s a return to pre-pandemic levels, after only between 35,000 to 45,000 attended the unsanctioned event in 2021.
“Last year sucked,” said Lisa Waite who travelled to the event from Hamilton. “This year so far has been a great turnout… can’t ask for anything better.”
"It's awesome," said Mike Spike. "Good people, good food, lots of bikes, lots of people and comraderie. This is great. You can't beat this."
The rally also brought a boost to local businesses.
"Just to see people out on the streets again and walking around, it's been a long haul for everybody," said Dan Rieckermann of Multibrand Clothing Boutique. "Everyone is looking forward to seeing everyone and having some sales."
"It's fantastic," said Mary Anne Sault, the manager of Schofields Bistro. "After the past couple years from the pandemic, its just been wonderful to have so many people lined up at the door since we opened. It's great, we love it. We love when Friday the 13th happens."
The county has created a map with road rules for the gathering, including closures, one-way traffic and parking restrictions.
The following roads will be closed Friday from 3 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.:
- Nelson St. East (from St. Patrick to Hwy. 24)
- Greenock St. West (from St. George to Richardson Drive)
- Richardson Drive (from Nelson St. West to Greenock St.)
These roads will be closed from Thursday at 4 p.m. to Saturday at 4 a.m.:
- Main St. (from Clifford St. to Walker St.)
- Market St. East (from Main St. to St. Andrew St.)
- Market St. West (from St. George St. to Main St.)
- Park St.
The only exceptions will be made for emergency and service vehicles.
The county also said there would be no dash passes issued, or required, for residents this year. There would also be no shuttle service offered.
Provincial police were also out on the roads on Friday and responded to multiple crashes involving motorcycles near Port Dover including one fatal.
In 2021, there were two collisions on Highway 6 involving motorcycles believed to be heading to the rally. One of those was a motorcycle driver who was killed in Hagersville. Police also responded to crashes in Paris, Norfolk County and Elgin County.
They told CTV News in 2021 that the majority of those collisions were not the fault of the motorcycle operators.
OPP have also released a video with safety reminders for motorcyclists.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
NEW Iconic Canadian song turns 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Oprah Winfrey: I set an unrealistic standard for dieting
Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets.
Prince Harry, Meghan arrive in Nigeria to champion the Invictus Games and meet with wounded soldiers
Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, arrived in Nigeria on Friday to champion the Invictus Games, which he founded to aid the rehabilitation of wounded and sick servicemembers and veterans, among them Nigerian soldiers fighting a 14-year war against Islamic extremists.
Countries struggle to draft 'pandemic treaty' to avoid mistakes made during COVID
After the coronavirus pandemic triggered once-unthinkable lockdowns, upended economies and killed millions, leaders at the World Health Organization and worldwide vowed to do better in the future. Years later, countries are still struggling to come up with an agreed-upon plan for how the world might respond to the next global outbreak.
Toronto police called to Drake's Bridle Path mansion for another alleged intruder on Thursday
Toronto police say a man who allegedly attempted to access Drake’s Bridle Path property was taken to hospital on Thursday after an altercation with security guards.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.
Storm-battered U.S. South is again under threat. A boy swept into a drain fights for his life
Dangerous storms crashed over parts of the U.S. South on Thursday even as the region cleaned up from earlier severe weather that spawned tornadoes, killed at least three people, and gravely injured a boy who was swept into a storm drain as he played in a flooded street.