The Leamington area will be alive with the sights and sounds of a true motorcycle rally this weekend as Hogs for Hospice kicks off Friday.
The event, which started in 2016 at Seacliff Park, has grown in leaps and bounds and is a main funding driver for the Erie Shores Hospice.
Completely volunteer-run, the Hogs for Hospice Motorcycle Rally is considered a premiere event in the province, with visitors coming from as far as the east and west coasts of North America.
And it all began with a notion from seven friends who imagined an event that would cover the operating costs of the beloved local hospice.
Now, the weekend is full of activity, concerts and friendship shared across a wide selection of people.
The 50-50 raffle — a popular addition in recent years — raises hundreds of thousands of dollars each year and the concert nights provide those in attendance with quite a bit of bang for their buck.
This year, they’ve added a third concert night — a Sunday night gospel and spiritual event brought to you by the Windsor Essex Faith Community.
Schedule of Events
The event officially kicks off Friday, August 1 at 4 pm as H4H headquarters opens, and the pro wrestlers of NCG Wrestling take to the ring at the park.
At 5 pm Friday, Vendor Alley opens, along with the food trucks, the Leamington Ribfest and the Kinsmen Club Hog Pen Beer Garden.
The doors open for the concert at 6:30 pm, with Canadian star Kim Mitchell opening for Theory of a Deadman.
On Saturday, August 2, H4H headquarters opens early at 7 am to help facilitate the annual Tour The Tip Ride. The Lions Club pancake breakfast kicks off at 8 am, just as registration for Tour The Tip opens up.
Vendor Alley and food trucks open at 9 am and a pre-ride ceremony starts at 10 am.
The popular Tour The Tip Ride leaves Seacliff Park at 10:30 am, riding their way down Robson Road, Point Pelee Drive and into Point Pelee National Park. The ride will make a pitstop in downtown Kingsville around noon before the riders return to Seacliff Park.
The Pro Rider Freestyle Motocross shows begins at 12:30 at the top of the park along Seacliff Drive and will run again at 2:30 and 5 pm.
NCG Wrestling returns to the ring for another free event at 4 pm in the park.
At 6:30 pm on Saturday, the gates open for the concerts with co-headliners Carly Pearce and Mitchell Tenpenny.
On Sunday, August 3, the Lions Club Pancake Breakfast resumes at 8 am, with vendors alley and food trucks open at 9 am.
Sunday morning worships services on the hill will start at 10 am.
At 11:30 am, the Hogs for Hospice Junior Bike Rodeo takes place, brought to you by The Bad Examples. The adult version of the Bike Rodeo will follow at 1 pm.
At noon, the Kinsmen Hog Pen reopens, the Rib Fest will give out their awards and the H4H Iron By The Beach Bike Show takes place in the park parking lots.
At 12:30 and 4 pm, the Pro Riders will be jumping and doing trick riding once again on Seacliff Drive.
At 6:30 pm, doors will open for the Sunday night worship concert featuring Chandler Moore with special guest Benjamin William Hastings. Sunday’s concerts are all age events.
Seacliff Drive between Sherk and Erie Streets will be closed for the weekend starting Friday mid-day, while Forest Avenue along Seacliff Drive will also be closed, except to vendors and motorcycle participants.
Tickets for the concerts are still available at hogsforhospice.com.
