Carlyle's 14th annual Boogie Fest was a roaring, rumbling success-in spite of weather warnings- as motorcycle enthusiasts converged on the community Friday, June 19 and Saturday, June 20 for a fundraising festival supporting Crescent Point Leisure Complex.
Although widespread weather warnings made for lower than usual riders' attendance, Boogie Fest founder and organizer Larry Brady of Carlyle said after the rally: “It was an excellent ride. I'm very happy with how the day went.”
Fellow founder and organizer Trevor Dalziel of Carlyle agreed, adding: “I'm very happy. We've had better days weather-wise. I got caught in a little hail and rain in Redvers and Alida, but it was still a good day and a good ride.”
The fundraiser-now in its 14th year-began simply as a fun day out for local motorcycle enthusiasts who also wanted to support the local swimming pool. Since then, it has grown to be a much-anticipated event and an important fundraiser for Carlyle's Cresent Point Leisure Complex.
“We wanted to do a bike rally and the pool needed support, so it grew from there,” says Brady. “Our first year, we made $1,000. Our best year we made $40,000 and last year, we made $15,000. I'm very happy with this year's ride.”
The fundraiser hosted events for all ages, with Friday featuring a free lunch in Carlyle Home Hardware's parking lot, which also allowed attendees a last-chance opportunity to purchase tickets for this year's prize, a like-new, low-mileage 2004 Harley Davidson Heritage Soft Tail. This year's lucky winner of the mint-condition motorcycle was Dawn Faber of Carlyle.
Boogie Fest organizer Dalziel found the motorcycle, saying, “This year we were able to get a really great bike. It's only got 287 km on it. It's like brand new.”
The search for the yearly prize starts early, as Boogie Fest organizers aim to get raffle ticket sales underway in time for Christmas. Dalziel found this year's bike via Kijiji, and says that the previous owner had bought the bike and put it into storage, before deciding to sell it in 2014.
Even those who don't own or win a motorcycle are urged to join in the spirit of the event and dress like a biker, as official Boogie Fest T-shirts and hoodies (featuring a new design every year) are sold at Kings Department Store.
Even the very young enjoyed Boogie Fest, thanks to Cornerstone Family and Youth, who hosted the free-of-charge CFY Carnival at the Lions Park Pavilion on Friday. Children enjoyed carnival games, bouncy houses, three mascots, a toy raffle, face painting and entertainment by a balloon artist, while volunteers cooked up hot dogs and hamburgers for sale.
The Lions Park Pavilion was also the setting for Saturday's free pancake breakfast, held just before the main event-the Poker Rally and parade downtown by the riders.
This year's route began at Lions Park and continued down Main Street, Carlyle before the bikers rode to Maryfield through to Virden, MB., Redvers, Alida, and Kenosee and White Bear Lakes, before returning to Carlyle.
The evening's events welcomed both bikers and would-be bikers. A barbeque hosted by the Moose Mountain Knights of Columbus and a cabaret with country favourite, The Chris Henderson Band (with late-night eats courtesy of Carlyle Fire and Rescue) set the stage for a fantastic display of fireworks and the midnight draw for this year's Harley.
Country singer-songwriter Henderson said of the evening, “It's always a blast in Carlyle, and Boogie Fest was no exception! I don't think there's a town out there that knows how to have a better time!”
“You don't need to be a biker to enjoy Boogie Fest,” says Dalziel. “Most years, we have over 100 bikers and easily, an equal number of volunteers and some great, great sponsors. We'd like to thank them all, as well as everyone who comes out and supports Boogie Fest. By doing that, they are also supporting the pool.”
