Hogs for Hospice celebrates 10-years of uniting the community for a cause

by Garrett Fodor

Hogs for Hospice roared into its 10th anniversary this past weekend, drawing tens of thousands to Leamington and Kingsville for a high-energy mix of motorcycles, music, and family fun. The milestone celebration featured a packed schedule of events, with organizers even expanding the offerings this time around.

  When the sun had set on Sunday, it had meant that the 10th anniversary of Hogs for Hospice had come to an end. This year’s edition featured the most robust schedule of events to date, offering new family fun entertainment spread over the three full days, including a new wrestling performance Friday night, along with a Sunday morning worship, and service before a special worship concert Sunday night. The traditional slate of activities continued to be offered over the three-day event.

“It’s not really our event anymore, it’s become a community event, a volunteer event, and we are just the ambassadors who are lucky enough to put it on,” Donny Pacheco said, who is a member of the Board of Directors for the organization.

  “It's just become like anything in our community, everybody's different and everybody appreciates different things, and we have something to offer for everybody, which is awesome. It’s special for us, this being our 10th anniversary, minus a couple of shows due to COVID, but it’s special. This community embraces us, and we embrace them.”

  While Saturday featured the annual ride, which drew more than 2000 riders who proceeded through Kingsville and Leamington to Point Pelee, on Sunday, families were invited back to the grounds of Seacliff Park to enjoy the last day of the festival. Offering the public a chance to get an up-close look at the bikes they saw the previous day through the ride, attendees were able vote on their favourite during the bike show.

  In addition, children had their chances to enter the Junior Bike Rodeo, showing their skills and providing an opportunity to ride a motorbike. The adults then took over the same ring and showcased their riding skills. Both groups of riders vied for a cash prize.

  “Going back to about three-years ago, we wanted to find a way to incorporate the general public, kids, and the biker community, so we launched the idea to have a biker rodeo and then a junior biker rodeo, providing kids an opportunity to be on a bike as well and in front of a crowd of cheering people,” Shane Anger, President of the Bad Examples Motorcycle Club, said.

  “It’s incredible to just see these kids' faces when they get on these bikes, some for the first time, and they’re riding with the crowd cheering them on, that's what we do it for. It’s creating memories and it gets the families together. We’re non-stop trying to add events and features, and it's great to see things continue to grow.”

  Pacheco noted that it has been surreal to see the event grow and change through the years. He said the Board of Directors is always shocked at the generosity of the community and the level in which they give back and help fund the local hospice each year through the organization.

  For the first time, this year’s event also featured the Leamington Ribfest onsite, adding even more flavour to the festivities. Hogs for Hospice continued to serve as a platform for local organizations, such as the Lions Club and Kinsmen, to host their own programming alongside the main event, making the festival a true community-wide celebration. This collaboration allows those partnering clubs a chance to benefit as well.

“Tourism was always a part of this. Bringing people from outside to our community has always been the goal,” Pacheco explained. “That's why it's the motorcycle rally. There really isn't anything like this. Leamington, we're the southernmost tip of Canada. We have some great riding routes, and we get better weather than most places. It was just an ideal situation for us. And that's how this was kind of born, to help support our local hospice facility. It’s a cause that is near and dear to a lot of people.”

  One of the biggest staples for the event is the annual 50/50 draw, which is slated to be drawn on August 15. This year’s winner share is already over $250,000, with ticket sales running until August 14. They can be purchased online.

  Pacheco is grateful to the community for continuing to support the event and helping it grow. They are thankful for the volunteers and everyone who helps to make the event possible. He is already excited for what is in store for years to come.