Perfect weather and community spirit combined to produce a stellar 2025 Hogs for Hospice Motorcycle Rally this past weekend.
From the moment the gates opened on Friday afternoon, volunteers, sponsors and vendors set their sights on helping Erie Shores Hospice and providing a welcoming venue for attendees.
The weekend kicked off with NCG Wrestling providing an exciting free card which pulled passersby in to watch the bodyslams and three-counts. NCG returned Saturday afternoon for another free show.
Friday night’s concert featuring Kim Mitchell and Theory of a Deadman drew packed crowds to the amphitheatre hill at Seacliff Park and left everyone wanting more. Fireworks finished off the night at Seacliff beach before the official after-party at the Roma Club made for another packed venue.
Saturday morning’s Tour The Tip Ride featured about 1,500 motorcycles leaving Seacliff Park at 10:30 and making their way to Point Pelee and back up to Kingsville for a much needed rest on the closed streets downtown there.
Meanwhile back at the park, the Leamington Lions Club pancake breakfast wrapped up and gave way to throngs of people making their way through the park.
The freestyle motocross riders provided thrills at the top of the park, and food trucks and vendors enjoyed record crowds making their way through. The smoky smells of barbecue wafted through the park thanks to the Leamington Ribfest, which ran simultaneously as part of the event.
The Hog Pen, run by the Leamington Kinsmen Club, was busy all weekend keeping everyone hydrated.
Country night featured co-headliners Carly Pearce and Mitchell Tenpenny on Saturday, once again followed by fireworks.
Sunday saw a few things wrap up, while the Sunday morning worship service saw great attendance.
The Junior Bike Rodeo took place ahead of the Bike Rodeo for adults where couples on motorcycles performed daring tasks on the bikes. Both of those events were hosted by the Bad Examples Motorcycle Club and featured cash prizes.
The weekend ended with a night of worship as contemporary Christian performers Chandler Moore and Benjamin William Hastings took to the stage for the final concert night of the weekend, followed once again by fireworks.
Hogs Committee members were thrilled with the turnout, the weather and the general results of the weekend.
“We’re so happy with the support from the community, the volunteers and the sponsors,” said a Hogs spokesperson. “We couldn’t be happier with the weekend.”
The annual 50/50 draw now sits at over $260,000 and still has over a week left before ticket deadline. You can purchase tickets at hogsforhospice5050.com.
A young rider gets the thumbs up from a member of the Bad Examples during the Junior Bike Rodeo on Sunday, August 3.
SUN photo by Deanna Bertrand
Mason (front) and Lucas Santos brought their own motorcyle out to greet the Hogs for Hospice riders in Kingsville Saturday as the ride made its annual stop in the downtown core.
SUN photo by Deanna Bertrand
Country music star Carly Pearce rocks it out with her guitar player on Saturday night on the Sunset Amphitheatre stage.
SUN photo by Mel Froese
Country music star Mitchell Tenpenny on stage Saturday night.
SUN photo by Mel Froese
Benjamin William Hastings plays for the crowd on Sunday night.
SUN photo by Deanna Bertrand
Contemporary Christian artist Chandler Moore performs Sunday evening.
SUN photo by Deanna Bertrand
Multiple Juno Award winner and a member of the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame Kim Mitchell proved that he is still ‘a wild party’ as he and his rock band opened up the Hogs 4 Hospice concert series with a nine-song set on Friday night. Mitchell opened for fellow Canadian band Theory of a Deadman.
SUN photo by Paul Forman
The Sunday morning Worship Service was well attended.
SUN photo by Paul Forman
Father Marquis takes to the air to drop an elbow on a member of the Ultra Devine tag team while his partner Roddy Suavino looks on. NCG Wrestling produced two shows on Friday and Saturday.
SUN photo by Mark Ribble
Downtown Kingsville was closed off at the four corners to welcome the riders on Saturday.
SUN photo by Deanna Bertrand
A daring display from the Pro-Rider Freestyle Motocross team, who performed six times.
SUN photo by Mark Ribble
Saturday’s fireworks on Seacliff Beach.
SUN photo by Mel Froese
Just a few of the hundreds of volunteers who worked hard to make the weekend run smoothly. The Hogs for Hospice event is run entirely by volunteers.
SUN photos by Mark Ribble
The Leamington’s Lions Club served over a thousand pancake and sausage breakfasts at Seacliff Park in support of the Erie Shores Hospice. On the left are Jim Mannell and Steve Lashmar. On the right are Bruce Medcalf (front), Dennis Edmondson, Chris Adams and Holly Adams.
SUN photo by Paul Forman
Riders make their way along Forest Avenue to begin the Tour The Tip Ride on Saturday morning.
SUN photo by Deanna Bertrand
The Hogs for Hospice Committee thanks the sponsors during a break Friday evening, just prior to Theory of a Deadman taking the stage.
SUN photo by Paul Forman
Three-year old Isabella Finn loves her ribs and is pictured here with her mom Jessie Dunn as they pick up some award-winning ribs from Beth Ruffer of Crazy Canuck Smokers.
SUN photo by Paul Forman
