Last Saturday morning, the rumble of motorcycle engines and the smell of barbecue sauce drew a crowd to the parking lot of the Estevan and District Co-op. Bikers Against Diabetes (BAD) held one of their two main events for the season, a barbecue, raising funds for those whose lives have been affected by diabetes.
“This year, we’re putting on this barbecue and then we’re putting on a rodeo on June 4,” said communications officer Chris McCaskill, who was on double-duty, promoting the BAD’s events, and cooking burgers and hot dogs for the many guests that showed up for the barbecue.
He said, “We support local families who are facing hard times, and our main focus is kids with diabetes.”
Guests mingled and chatted as a number of bikers pulled in, using the event as an opportunity to show off their rides. In addition to the food, guests were encouraged to bring used donations for Clothesline, a program that accepts donated clothes, electronics and household items, and then puts forwards the profits to the Canadian Diabetes Association.
McCaskill said that this year, all the proceeds from BAD’s events go toward sponsoring children to go to the juvenile diabetes camp, Camp Easter Seal.
McCaskill described the camp as a place where diabetic children are “actually given the chance to just be kids and not have to worry.”
This is achieved by bringing children to the camp all at once, and having a full medical staff available on site to assist with whatever medical needs participants have, allowing them to have fun unimpeded.
“Last year, we sent 610 kids to the camp,” McCaskill said, adding that he hopes BAD can surpass that, this year.
McCaskill said the turnout for the barbecue was good, in spite of the heavy clouds that morning which looked to be the beginning of some rain. He added that he was using the barbecue as a way to get the word out about the upcoming rodeo.
The rodeo will go from 11:00 a.m., to 5:00 p.m., at Stanley Park, on Hwy. 605, north of Bienfait, with an assortment of activities taking place, such as a slow race, jousting, a keg roll, ring toss and best in show awards, in addition to many others, including crowd participation events.
“It’ll take place about six clicks up, between Lampman and Bienfait, at an abandoned farm,” said McCaskill. “It’s 100 per cent family oriented. There’ll be something for parents and kids. Just because you don’t have a bike doesn’t mean you can’t join in.”
