OkotoksOnline/Harrison O'Nyons
The Rolling Barrage reached Okotoks on Wednesday, Aug. 14.
Now in its ninth year, the Rolling Barrage is an annual cross-Canada motorcycle ride that raises funds to support veterans and first responders living with PTSD.
The Okotoks stop has been part of the tour since 2019, and it has become a beloved town tradition.
As in previous years, the Okotoks Rotary Club and Okotoks Scouts set up Canadian flags along Veterans Way, and a giant Canadian flag was hoisted at the top of the hill by the Okotoks and Diamond Valley Fire Departments.
The riders arrived at Veterans Way just after 5:20 p.m., with 60–70 bikes descending the hill.
They were greeted by a long row of smiling and waving residents, along with a flag party that included members of the Okotoks Legion and emergency responders at the bottom of the hill.
"The flag party was also augmented by members of the Calgary Fire Department Honour Guard," said Event Coordinator Rob Calvert. "There were two members there who were part of the flag party. We also had the RCMP from Okotoks attending, and they were in their scarlets with the flag party. I had many comments from the riders; they thought it was just great."
Afterward, the riders hosted a reception outside The George Traditional House.
Calvert, Mayor Tanya Thorne, Highwood MLA RJ Sigurdson, and Foothills MP John Barlow addressed the crowd. Rolling Barrage founder Scott Casey was in attendance and, having recently moved to Okotoks from B.C., was presented with an Alberta T-shirt from Sigurdson.
"I have to give kudos to the Hard Knocks Brewery in Black Diamond. They sold the beer at the event, and gave all the money from those sales to the Rolling Barrage. That was amazing. Also, Leanne Sigurdson, she coordinated all the food prep and ran the food tent."
The motorcycle procession is set to finish its journey on Saturday, Aug. 16, in Aldergrove, B.C.
More information, including details on donations, is available on the Rolling Barrage website.