BIKERS from around the country are firing up their engines to descend on Rugby this weekend for the fifth annual Rugby Bikefest.
The festival will fill the town centre with bike displays, stalls, children’s activities, a funfair, music and food on Sunday (May 20).
It will kick-start with hundreds of bikes performing a ‘ride-in’ to the town centre at 10am.
Fresh from drawing crowds at the Spring Fair on Bank Holiday Monday, an ‘Extreme Wheelie’ motorcycle simulator will offer a virtual reality experience of the thrill of the wheelie.
The special guest of honour will be British Grass Track Champion and Rugby’s sports personality of the year, Mark Cossar.
Over 40 stalls and displays will offer a range of bike related goods, advice and clothing, while face painting, silly bikes, bouncy castles, model bike racing, children’s games and a funfair will keep kids entertained.
Music stages at Market Place, Caldecott Park and Mister Robinson’s Barbers in Church Street will host local acts including The Jellyheads, Stupid Boots, Massive Happy, The Rooters, The Invisible Friends and the Strawhouse Singers.
Bikers will be able to park their machines at the Old Market Place off Railway Terrace, and can use the Christian Motorcycle Association’s Helmet Park outside St Andrew’s Church for a charge of £1 per helmet (proceeds to St Andrew’s Church).
Rugby Borough Council growth and investment spokeswoman Coun Heather Timms said: “This year’s Bikefest looks set to be the biggest and best yet, giving The Rugby Town a fantastic opportunity to showcase all it has to offer to visitors from across the country.
“To complement this special event there will be free entry to the World Rugby Hall of Fame on the day, so make sure you take the opportunity to visit and discover the fascinating history of the game of Rugby.”
The Bikefest takes place from 10am to 4pm. Visit www.therugbytown.co.uk/bikefest for more information.
A LAUNCH party is being held at The Courthouse tonight (Saturday May 19), the eve of the Bikefest, with music from bands Locked & Loaded and Bite Me plus a disco.
It takes place from 7pm at the North Street pub. Entrance costs £5 on the door. All proceeds will go to the British Biker Relief Foundation.
A TRIO of veteran local DJs will recreate the atmosphere of the 70s at a town centre pub during the Bikefest.
The Captain, Mark and Mick Entwistle were the first in Rugby to play punk and reggae in 1976 at The Exchange pub – and will return to the venue, now Bar 29, from 12noon until 6pm on Sunday (May 20).
