Postponed Kamloops Harley-Davidson rally morphs into wildfire fundraising | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Postponed Kamloops Harley-Davidson rally morphs into wildfire fundraising

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KAMLOOPS – Unfortunately, after months of planning, the Harley Davidson Motorcycle Rally scheduled for this weekend in Kamloops has been postponed due to the wildfires burning in the region.

The rally, scheduled to start today, July 13, was officially recognized by the motorcycle company. It was expected to bring up to 500 bikes from western North America to Kamloops.

The poseponement was announced online yesterday on the Barnes Harley-Davidson dealership website.

“Although the fires are presently located a fair distance from Kamloops, the air quality rating in Kamloops is very poor, and therefore dangerous for many people,” the statement reads. “There is also significant risk posed to those traveling from outside of the region due to the volatility of wildfire and poor air quality throughout the greater region.”

The decision to postpone was made by Harley-Davidson Canada, according to the media release. No new date for the rally has been announced.

The rally was to take place primarily at the Tk'emlups te Secwepemc powwow grounds

A refund is available for those registered for the event. Any rally fees refunds not collected will be donated to the Red Cross.

While the official rally has been postponed, a wildfire relief charity fundraiser has been announced. The dealership is collecting donations for evacuees at all three of its locations — Kamloops, Langley and Victoria — and hosting a bike wash to raise funds for the Red Cross.

They’re also offering free storage of any motorcycle to people displaced by the fires.

On the Facebook page used by the organizing committee to communicate with rally attendees, many people supported the decision, though some expressed frustration at the the late decision.

Due to the situation, people have also said they still plan to come to Kamloops to help the community by volunteering and fundraising.


To contact a reporter for this story, email Brendan Kergin or call 250-819-6089 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

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