A ROARING success – thousands revved into Rugby town centre as the town’s Bikefest celebrated its ten-year anniversary.
It all kickstarted with the now-traditional ride-in when hundreds of motorbikes rode into town.
The festival – organised by Rugby First in partnership with local bike groups, musicians, and event management company Unlimited Communications – then filled the town centre with bike displays, a funfair, children’s activities and a selection of street food.
Live music took place on two stages in Market Place and Church Street, featuring performances from local bands Visitation, Monday Nights, Jester, Spitfire, The Great Central, White Tyger, The Passerines, Rising Sons, Soul Revival, Magindara and Break the Rules.
The festival expanded into the Little Elborow Street car park this year, where the Extreme Bike Battle stunt team and Moto gymkhana wowed crowds with their daredevil feats.
Among the many stalls, Rugby-based charity the OurJay Foundation made over £2,000 towards its work installing publicly-accessible defibrillators and teaching life-saving resuscitation skills, and Rugby Lions Minis and Juniors aimed for a world record for the most signatures ever seen on a single rugby ball.
Rugby First Business Director Linda Lowne said: “We are absolutely delighted with how the event went, helped of course by the beautiful weather. The event was a huge success with thousands of people and bikes coming into the town centre and having an amazing time.
“There is no doubt that this year’s event, the 10th anniversary, was the biggest so far, and that it will have provided a fantastic boost to the town centre economy.
“I would like to say a massive thank you to all those who took part and helped with the planning and delivery of the event, as well as Rugby Borough Council and the sponsors Share Haulage for their continued support.
“Also a special thank you to all those visitors from the local area and further afield who joined us on the day and I would like to encourage them to return for future events and to support Rugby town centre businesses on an ongoing basis.”
