Female riders converge on Fergus

FERGUS - About 400 riders gathered from across southern Ontario at the Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex on May 4 for the 5th annual International Female Ride Day.

“It’s a chance to meet new people and hang out with old motorcycle friends,” said Jennifer Hatch, who started the event in Elora and organizes it with the help of Jackie McGowan and a team of volunteers.

Riders came in from as far away as Hagersville, Huntsville, Windsor and Oshawa, organized into ride-in groups.

Proceeds will be donated to the Ontario Mental Health Association.

The event was an expansion from last year, with more than 20 specialty vendors. It featured DJ Mark Haynes, who has supported the event from year one, and local food trucks. The event has been gaining momentum, but attendance this year was hampered by rain and sleet in some areas.

“Who knows what the numbers would have been if we had seen some sun,” said Hatch. “Bigger and better things are yet to come.”