As the 9th annual Atlanticade comes to a close in Moncton, organizers are celebrating the event’s success.
“It looks like it’s going to be somewhere in the vicinity of 7,000 to 8,000 individual motorcycles over the past five days,” says co-owner Donna Eagles.
Bridgette Butler was among them; she enjoyed her first Atlanticade only a week after obtaining her motorcycle licence.
“I love it. I love it whenever you’re driving down the road, you get to smell all the flowers and the fresh-cut grass,” says Butler.
The festival drew motorcycle enthusiasts from across North America, with the average biker staying for two or three nights. Organizers say that means big money for local business.
“They’re here, they’re eating, they’re purchasing, they’re buying, they’re travelling,” says Eagles.
They also say this year’s collaboration with another popular event – Ribfest – has been a win-win relationship.
“We got our fill of ribs this weekend and the pulled pork sandwiches, amazing, loved it,” says biker Annie Douthwright.
Atlanticade started in Moncton nine years ago but it has moved around over the years, with stops in St. Andrews and the last three years spent in Summerside. This year, it returned to where it all began.
“I think it’s been more organized because of the way everything is situated downtown,” says biker Doug Parker. “It seems like there’s more vendors, I feel, than there was the last couple of years in Summerside.”
Organizers say the event is home for good in Moncton, and they have big plans for next year’s 10th anniversary.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Jonathan MacInnis
