HOUGHTON LAKE-The 3rd Annual Houghton Lake Blessing of the Bikes was held on May 3 at the Houghton Lake Chamber of Commerce.
Sponsored by the Houghton Lake Chamber of Commerce, Tractor Supply, Ultimate Exposure Graphics, Michigan Bike Life, and Michigan Biker Law, the annual event drew a large crowd of biker enthusiasts to take part in the blessing, performed by Rev. Sean Croff.
Attendees enjoyed complimentary coffee and donuts during registration, followed by the flag raising, a 30-mile ride around the lake and an after party with food trucks, entertainment, and prizes. One hundred and fifty-three people registered for the event, with a larger crowd coming to participate in the ride around the lake.
Ted Calabrese started The Blessing of the Bikes when he was elected Mayor, and his son was the Marshall of the Tip Up Town in 2023. His whole family rides and thought it was a “good idea and a way to raise money for my three charities, Houghton Lake Chamber of Commerce, Tip Up Town, and the Roscommon County Animal Shelter”. Recently, Habitat for Humanity was added to the list of charities benefiting from the event. The event raised $1,400 from registered bikers and the 50/50 raffle.
~ Photos by Mark Constance / UpNorthVoice.com
