Annual motorcycle event cancelled, event trademark up for sale

A BELOVED community motorcycle event has been postponed for 2024 due to dwindling interest and sponsorship opportunities, with the event organiser also putting the event rights up for sale.

Geelong’s annual Blessing of the Bikes, scheduled to take place on Geelong’s Waterfront on October 27, has been put on the shelf, according to a statement on Facebook on Monday this week by organiser Allan Turner.

“To run a huge event of this size there needs to be a few factors that must come together, and the big ones are motorcycle dealers’ support, sponsorship and support,” Mr Turner said.

“After a great deal of trying to secure these, I have not been successful at this time.

“Now being three months out from this event, best I make this major call now rather than two weeks from the event date, which now allows you the opportunity to make other plans on this same weekend.”

The event, which ran on Phillip Island before moving to Geelong in 2023, is trademarked under the charity Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation.

The foundation was created by Mr Turner in honour of his late daughter, who died from a cerebral aneurysm in 2004.

In his statement, Mr Turner said the event’s ownership was also up for sale and would allow new organisers to run the event in future years.

“Zaidee’s has received great support from the motorcycle sector over the many years we have run and owned this event and others,” Mr Turner said.

“Sadly, it’s time as a charity like Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation to take on a new direction on a worldwide scale versus running events locally such as Blessing of the Bikes.”

Anyone or any business interested in buying the Blessing of the Bikes trademark can do so by phoning Mr Turner on 0412 985 211.