New Brunswick

Atlanticade Motorcycle Festival celebrates 10th anniversary

The Atlanticade Motorcycle Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary in Moncton this weekend.

4-day event in Moncton draws bikers from across North America

Atlanticade chairman Dale Hicks said "some people thought we were crazy" when the motorcycle festival in Moncton was started 10 years ago. (CBC)

The Atlanticade Motorcycle Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary in Moncton this weekend.

The festival began on Main Street on Thursday night with the Downtown Street Party.

The schedule over the next four days features guided tours of the Fundy Coast, music, prize draws and a ceremony honouring military veterans.

"We had people arrive today from down through New England states and from Newfoundland to Ontario. So there will be more rolling in here the next day or two," said Atlanticade chairman Dale Hicks.

Atlanticade began in Moncton 10 years ago. It moved locations to Summerside, P.E.I., and Saint Andrews over the years, before returning to Moncton in 2015.

Hicks said the festival has come a long way in a decade.

"We said we wanted to put on an event that was going to draw tourism," said Hicks.

"It wasn't just a local event, we wanted to make it a tourism event. Some people thought we were crazy at the time."

Someone will win a $9,000 motorcycle at Atlanticade this year. (CBC)

This year sees four days of events rather than the normal five days.

But for the first time, attendees will have a chance to win a motorbike, while helping a good cause.

"A $9,000 bike which we can give away to people who make donation. They can get a ticket for the bike and we'll draw for that at midnight [on Friday]."

The prize draw will be in aid of breast cancer research.

Atlanticade also teams up with Ribfest this year, located beside the Press Club on Assomption Boulevard.

Atlanticade runs until Sunday afternoon.