By VICKI BROWN
Low Country Pest Control sponsored the first Blessing of the Bikes, held Saturday, April 23rd from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Elks Lodge No. 1988 in Walterboro.
More than 40 bike enthusiasts attended the event, drawing bikers from across Colleton County and from nearby areas, such as including Moncks Corner and Barnwell.
The Blessing of the Bikes is a tradition in which riders of motorcycles are blessed by a minister or clergyman, with the hope that it will bring safety to the riders for the coming season. Many towns hold the annual ceremonies to bless motorcycles in the spring or beginning of summer.
After being blessed, the bikers then rode for 62 miles and returned for food and fellowship. “A great time was had by all, and this was a very good turn out for our first ever Colleton Baptist Association Biker Blessing,” said CBA’s Men’s Ministry Coordinator Pat Catterton. “It was an awesome time.”
The local ceremony focused on rider safety, and bikers from every denomination were invited. The service included prayers and the reading of biblical passages. A brief memorial service was held to acknowledge riders who have died in the previous year.
