Blessing of the Bikes, Baldwin, Mich. Photo by Jerry House.
By Pat Stinson
Jerry House, who rides a 2010 Victory Cross Country motorcycle, was asked how he first heard of the annual Blessing of the Bikes event held in Baldwin. He replied, simply, “You hear about it when you buy a motorcycle.”
This year marks the 49th anniversary of the founding of the family-friendly event. Attendees include bikers and non-bikers, according to event organizers.
Vendors began setting up Thursday afternoon along M-37 in downtown Baldwin. Activities such as shopping at a flea market and sampling festival-type foods run through Sunday, when the blessing takes place.
The Blessing of the Bikes began in 1972 when eight riders on four motorcycles met at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Baldwin. These days the event is organized and promoted by the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, with help from the village, the police and fire departments, and Para-Dice Motorcycle Club. In recent years, the club donated event proceeds to the Duane E. Dewey AMVETS Post 1988, though it has donated to several other organizations in the past.
This year’s event attracted more than 50 sponsors.
House said he and buddy, who had gotten divorced about the same time, went together for their first “Blessing,” after House convinced his friend to purchase a motorcycle.
“(The event) is a wonderful thing if you like motorcycles and people,” he said.
Asked why he keeps returning to the Blessing of the Bikes, he replied, chuckling, “I figure I need all the help I can get. In stayin’ alive, you know. On a motorcycle.
“A lot of it is the camaraderie. You see people there, you re-meet them there every year, and from that point on you ride with them during the summer. That’s like the big meeting point for a lot of people.”
House said thousands of bikes drive onto the airfield for the actual blessing.
“They pretty much fill that up, and they’ve got a stage there,” House explained, adding, “(There’s) a flea market downtown; it’s a big boost in the arm for Baldwin.”
House, who lives 10 miles from Cadillac, said he would drive to the Baldwin event on Saturdays to “do all the flea markets and eat” then head home. He would return on Sundays “just for the blessing.”
According to the chamber, parking for the blessing begins at 9 a.m. and the blessing is at 1 p.m. this year.
“They have food and porta-potties,” House began. “When you arrive, you buy your patch – because whenever you go to an event you have to buy a patch – and a pin to put on. The blessing itself is probably no more than half an hour. There’s a lead-up to it, then the actual blessing, then it’s over.
“The past few years they’ve been able to broadcast over an FM station. It got so big that you couldn’t hear it from their podium. At the very end the preacher, or whatever he is, says, ‘All right, ladies and gentlemen. Start your engines.’ Everybody reves it up and the ground vibrates.”
Last year’s event was canceled, and in 2019 House was recuperating from hip surgery and couldn’t attend.
“It’s really quite something; it’s quite an event,” he said. “Everyone should see it once, even if you’re not a biker.”
This year’s activities include karaoke on Friday and Saturday nights. The Scottville Clown Band performs outdoors at 2 p.m., Saturday, at the AMVETS Post 1988, 1959 West 24th Street. Concert-goers are asked to bring their own lawn chairs.
District Health Department #10 will offer free COVID-19 vaccines from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, between the Pathfinder Community Library, 812 Michigan Avenue, and the bank.
The Michigan Vietnam Memorial Wall will be on display Sunday.
The Blessing of the Bikes is held at the Baldwin Municipal Airport on South M-37, south of the village. An “express” entry wristband is available for a $5 donation from the AMVETS. Express entry allows attendees to move more quickly through the gate.
