Despite threats of heavy rain in the area, periodic reports from local weather guru Connor Mockett persuaded folks to take a chance and enjoy the evening. As it happened, only occasional light showers were experienced. Tinkess Photo

WINCHESTER – When you try to plan outdoor events, you are, for the most part held hostage to the whims of Mother Nature. This past week was no exception, as the aftermath of Hurricane Debby was the most frequently used phrase by those that predict the weather. Heavy rain was forecast, and the organizers of events like the Williamstown Fair, Navan Fair, Dairyfest, and Winchester Bike Night were justifiably concerned. There is a lot of work involved in creating these events, and try as they might, they can’t just stop on a dime.

Fortunately for the organizers of Bike Night, they have a person who doesn’t only look at the “bigger picture” as many of the media weather-people do. Connor Mockett, concentrating more on the local weather, told the organizers that they would be good to go till 9:00 p.m. or so. With a bit of added confidence August Bike Night went ahead, and started slowly much like it did in June, but people kept arriving throughout the early evening and before long, it had become a party.

As always there was good food, a great selection of beverages, and an atmosphere that was welcoming whether you were a young family looking for an inexpensive night out, or a biker looking for a chance to meet and mingle with others with similar interests. That is one of the interesting characteristics of Bike Night: it doesn’t appeal to just one group of people, and everyone is welcome.

One of the big attractions this time around was the band. Thanks to a donation from Schroomfest, a group of men who support local charities and events, Ambush was booked for the evening and had people of all ages up and dancing long before the sun went down.

Event organizer Vince Zandbelt couldn’t have been happier that the event went forward, but he was also impressed with how much people want to be here.

“I had a couple reach out to me,” said Zandbelt.  “We were camping last weekend, and they live up in Kemptville. They said it was pouring rain there, so they weren’t coming, but then all of a sudden, they listened to Connor’s forecast. He said it’s going to rain for a bit then quit, so they’re coming by Corvette, and they’re on their way here now.

“I mean, we’re getting people coming here and it’s raining where they are, so they’re coming here by car.  There’s nothing that says you can’t do that, because you can still come and talk to people.”

The next and final Bike Night of 2024 takes place on Sat., Sept. 14, and the organizers will be looking for more than a little good luck with that one.

“We are looking for three sevens on that one,” said Zandbelt. We’re going to have a big night here. Foodland is doing fries for charity up there. The Garden Party Market is doing the thing in the morning, then we run into our Golden Helmets, in the afternoon, and then that night we run into our Bike Night.

“We’re starting an hour early,” continues Zandbelt. “We’re starting from four till nine, but it’s definitely a Saturday. We have these people that always want a weekend, well, here’s their weekend, but it’ll be a one-time only, because we only do Thursday nights.”

Overall, it has been a very good year for Bike Night. You can’t control the weather, and you can only do the best you can with what you have to work with. Judging by the attendance and the mood of the crowd on what might have been a wet evening, most people seem to think that is pretty darn good.