Welland County Motorcycle Club moved its Bikefest extravaganza to late August for the first time, and it has proved to be a wise decision.

“There are a lot of people here and they are having a great time,” said Wesley Pierce, a longtime member of the club that oversees the event usually held in September.

“This is the first time we held it in August, and it has exceeded our expectations. It’s the biggest Bikefest we’ve ever had.”

Saturday’s event got into first gear with the inaugural John Clare Memorial Ride that had about 250 bikers beginning a journey from Clare’s Cycle, on Highway 20 in Fenwick, and roaring into the entrance of Welland County Speedway on Netherby Road.

“That was special,” said Pierce, a member of the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame. “They wanted to do something sp

See Full Page