The Atlanticade Motorcycle Festival has announced its return to Charlotte County, New Brunswick for 2011. The 5th iteration of the annual Festival will be held from July 6 to 10, during which time its headquarters will be located at the W.C. O’Neill Arena Complex in St. Andrews.

 

During negotiations with St. Andrews officials it was decided that the event would be held after the Canada Day holiday weekend. The alternate date was decided upon after local business owners voiced concerns with overcrowding. “Unfortunately, we’ve been telling participants and sponsors that the dates for this year’s Festival would include July 1st,” said Atlanticade founder Dale Hicks. “However, at the same time we didn’t want to leave Charlotte County, and especially not St. Andrews following the success of the 2010 Festival that was held there.”

 

Even though moving the Festival’s date might be problematic for some industry sponsors and participants, the Atlanticade Committee felt moving the Festival’s location would have been a more damaging option. “We were overwhelmed by the positive feedback from participants regarding St. Andrews and the Charlotte County region,” said Hicks. “We didn’t want to lose the momentum that was created last year in St. Andrews. The local community really embraced the event and Festival participants really enjoyed the charm of this historic Town”.

 

Last year’s Festival drew an estimated 10,000 motorcyclists from ten provinces and nine U.S. states. Organizers predict that those numbers will increase this year, providing of course the weather cooperates. However, Hicks is remaining cautious. “Since we’re a bit late in confirming the dates for this year we’ve missed a couple opportunities to promote the Festival at trade shows in Ontario and south of the border. We’re now scrambling to get the word out to everyone; some will have to re-book their hotel reservations”. Some of last year’s attendees booked rooms before leaving town based on expectations that the Festival would once again be held during the July 1st weekend. “There will be inconveniences for some, but there is still enough time for people to make the necessary adjustments,” suggested Hicks.

 

Atlanticade is described by organizers as Canada’s original five day motorcycle festival. Details for the 2011 Atlanticade will soon be available at the Festival’s website (www.atlanticade.ca).