Blessing of the Bikes draws hundreds of motorcyclists
The event marks the start of the biking season and raises money for local charities.
The blessing nearly didn t happen after the Park Township Board of Trustees rejected organizers plans for the township-owned Ottawa County Fairgrounds less than two weeks before the scheduled date.
The board voted against the event at the fairgrounds, citing the risk of a large event while another COVID-19 surge swept across the state.
According to the event s website, attendance was limited to 1,000 people, the maximum number allowed by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for outdoor venues.
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Whirlygigs focuses on non-electronic toys and games, including Legos, which Pendexter says he can barely keep on the shelves. Despite the global pandemic and a surge in coronavirus cases and deaths in the state, he’s still seeing a steady stream of foot traffic.
“I think people are trying to do their best to shop local,” he says.
There’s no statewide data out on the holiday shopping season and it’s hard to imagine COVID-19 not biting into some profits but small businesses across the state appear to be seeing a bit of a bounce right now.