Elaina Pring, owner of On The Fringe in downtown Port Dover was busy adding January 2023 to Destination 13 t-shirts she was selling on Friday January 13, 2023 in Brantford, Ontario. Despite few riders, the shop was packed with people wanting to purchase shirts marking the traditional Friday the 13th Gathering. Brian Thompson/Brantford Expositor/Postmedia Network Photo by Brian Thompson /Brian Thompson/The Expositor
Scott Benoit (left) of Woodstock decided to bring Lesley Richards, Shane Welsh and Ellen Herron II to Port Dover on Friday in his pickup truck after an overnight snowfall thwarted his plans to ride his motorcycle for the traditional Friday the 13th gathering. Brian Thompson Photo by Brian Thompson /Brian Thompson/The Expositor
Only a handful of motorcycles were seen on Main Street in Port Dover on Friday. Brian Thompson Photo by Brian Thompson /Brian Thompson/The Expositor
Kyle Kitchen, president of the Kinsmen Club of Port Dover, shows T-shirts and hoodies the organization was selling on Friday. Proceeds benefit Cystic Fibrosis Canada and local sports teams. Brian Thompson Photo by Brian Thompson /Brian Thompson/The Expositor
John Bustard of St. Thomas, Ontario was one of a handful of bikers to ride a motorcycle to Port Dover, Ontario on Friday January 13, 2023 for the traditional Friday the 13th Gathering. Brian Thompson/Brantford Expositor/Postmedia Network Photo by Brian Thompson /Brian Thompson/The Expositor
Only a handful of motorcycles were seen on Main Street in Port Dover, Ontario for the traditional Friday the 13th Gathering on Friday January 13, 2023. Held every time the 13th of the month falls on a Friday, in warmer weather about 100,000 people flock to the small town on the shore of Lake Erie. Brian Thompson/Brantford Expositor/Postmedia Network Photo by Brian Thompson /Brian Thompson/The Expositor
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John Bustard was one of the few motorcyclists to make the trek to Port Dover on Friday for the traditional Friday the 13th gathering.
Riding along Main Street on his 2001 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic, the 32-year-old St. Thomas, Ont., resident was attending his first event – often referred to as Biker Day.
“The roads were not too bad coming here, but it may be a little worse going home with snow blowing over the road,” he observed. “I don’t stop. As long as the roads are dry, I’m good to go.”
Bustard, who has been riding motorcycles for five years, said the coldest part of his body was his toes.
“Steel toes probably weren’t the best idea.”
Bikers usually flock to Port Dover whenever the 13th day of the month falls on a Friday. During the last Friday the 13th, on May 13, 2022, police estimated over 100,000 people converged on community.
But, during a 90-minute period over the noon hour Friday, only seven motorcycles were seen.
An overnight snowfall thwarted the plans of many riders.
Scott Benoit of Woodstock, Ont., changed his plans to ride his motorcycle, opting instead to bring friends in his GMC pickup truck bearing a large Harley Davidson logo on the rear window.
“It’s an awesome environment,” he said of the town. “The people, the shops, everything. I did plan to ride but the snow took that away.”
At Elmer Lewis parking lot in the middle of town, the Kinsmen Club of Port Dover sold T-shirts and sweatshirts bearing a special logo for the occasion from a trailer.
“We opened up at 9 am and they were lined up three cars deep,” said Kyle Kitchen, president of the club. “It was a good rush at the beginning and we’re looking to sell out shortly.”
Kitchen said it was a normal off-season turnout for Friday the 13th. The Kinsmen brought 250 shirts to sell.
Proceeds from sales go to Cystic Fibrosis Canada and several area minor sports organizations.
“I bought a T-shirt and a sweatshirt,” said Port Dover resident Tara Hoskins.
“I like the bikers, the out-of-towners, everyone has a great personality. They are upbeat and happy, so it’s a great time.
“It’s quiet though today, and that’s sad.”
Elaina Pring, owner of On the Fringe clothing store on Main Street for the past 28 years, was busy emblazoning January 2023 onto her line of Destination 13 T-shirts using a transfer press.
The store was packed with people looking to purchase a memento of this Friday the 13th gathering.
“These are a lot of our older customers that have always come here, so we’re taking care of them,” said Pring. “We are fortunate and very grateful to Mother Nature to allow us to be able to have some of these people come here. We are hoping a little later there will be more people come.”
Robert Cao of Fergus, Ont., strolled along Main Street wearing a leather jacket decked out with numerous patches.
“There’s not too many bikes here but everybody still gathers to see old friends,” he observed.
“We had a bit too much snow today in Fergus. I’ve ridden before in January and February, and it’s been better than this.
“As long as the roads are dry you can ride. It’s getting home that you have to worry about.”
There are two Friday the 13ths this year. The second will happen on Oct. 13.