FULTON, Ill. —
Motorcyclists far and wide gathered to show off their bikes, socialize and receive a special blessing in downtown Fulton on Sunday. The 23rd annual Fulton Bike Blessing had 225 bikes participate, with bikers from as far as Rockford, Ill., and Burlington and many from the Clinton area.
“It’s a nice time,” organizer Jules Meiners said. “Everyone comes together.”
The event that started as a simple blessing among a few friends at Meiners’ house has grown to more than 200 participants each year. After that first bike blessing, the event was moved to the Fulton Fire Station where it was held for 19 years, until the crowd grew too large for the facility. This year’s event was the fourth blessing held downtown.
“It started out with a few friends and local bikers and now it is truly an event for the whole community,” Meiners said.
While the venue has changed and the crowd has grown throughout the years, much of the event has stayed the same. Meiners’ father and Catholic Priest Arley T. Downie has been providing the blessings since the first small blessing 23 years ago. The blessing is nondenominational and Downie bears no discrimination in providing blessings whether it be bicycles, motorcycles, mopeds, boats, rollerskates and much more. He travels from his current home in New Mexico to perform the blessing each year and to visit with his family.
In the end the event is all about family and the community, according to Meiners, whose children and grandchildren attend the event each year. Larry Leonard, owner of Paddle Wheel Pizza, helps out at the event each year with his children and grandchildren in tow. Many of the bikers return year after year and bring their children and furry friends along with them. Joey Medema of Fulton brings his two dog companions Coco and Cleavon along with him on his self-constructed four-wheeler to be blessed each year.
“They love coming along for the ride,” Medema said.
Tim Richardson, announcer for the event, brings his late father Bear Richardson’s bike to be blessed each year. The bike has been at all 23 blessings and has a special significance to the event, as Bear along with Carl J. Sparlin started A Brotherhood Aimed Towards Education district 21 (ABATE 21) in the area in 1984.
The brotherhood puts on the blessing each year and is involved in a variety of charities throughout the year including Toys for Tots. Rider education and safety is also a key aspect of the organization.
“The organization is well worth it,” Sparlin said. “Family and kids go first. It’s all about getting involved with charities and making safety a priority. It’s everything you need to know in the motorcycling world. It’s peace of mind.”
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Father Arley T. Downie blesses motorcyclists and their bikes at the 23rd Annual Bike Blessing in downtown Fulton, Ill., on Sunday. The event had 225 participants this year. Natalie Conrad/Clinton Herald
Discussion
June 4, 2012
A prayer for protection
23rd annual Bike Blessing brings hundreds to Fulton
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