For over 16 years, on the first Saturday in May, Alaska begins the motorcycle-riding season with the annual event "The Gathering at the Bike Blessing." A.B.A.T.E. of Alaska Inc., along with volunteers from the motorcycle community, organizes this event in order to raise motorcycle awareness and save lives. Over 1000 motorcycles typically attend this event, making it the largest annual motorcycle gathering in the state of Alaska. As with many other events, organizers had to cancel the 2020 Bike Blessing, opting for “ drive-thru ” options spread out at various churches around town.
This year the event is on, and with a new location. The event is taking place in the south parking lot of the Dimond Center mall. The same location will be home to the Anchorage Saturday Market which has its opening day the following week. Organizers plan to follow all Covid-19 mitigation recommendations in compliance with Dimond Mall Policies and to ensure riders are safely congregating. While the event is outdoors, masks and hand sanitizer will be available and attendees are encouraged to maintain the CDC recommended physical distancing. In addition to the motorcycle riders, several thousand other members of their families and the public traditionally attend.
The event is focused on reminding everyone that with the Spring break-up in Alaska, everyone will see more motorcycles on the road. The Gathering is also a chance for riders to come together at the beginning of the season, swap stories, receive prayer and well wishes for a safe season, and make plans for summer rides. The event itself will occupy four rows of the Mall parking lot directly in front of the Dimond hotel. One row and an overflow area closer to the mall will be designated for motorcycle parking. While attendance is difficult to predict this year, it is possible that motorcycle parking will fill to capacity. The Dimond Mall management welcomes attendees to park anywhere they can find space in the rest of the parking lot. There will be 20 to 30 booths representing various motorcycle retailers, clubs, and other non-profit organizations. There will also be food vendors and some family activity events and displays.
Each year, we have representatives from the State of Alaska public office and the Anchorage Municipality speak. The Alaska Vets MC will lead a parade of motorcycles for Rolling Thunder, which circles the event and then will present the colors to honor military veterans who make up more than 60% of the motorcycle community in Alaska. A.B.A.T.E stands for Alaskan Bikers Advocating Training and Education. In January of 1983, A.B.A.T.E. of Alaska Inc. was founded with the mission to educate and train the motorcyclists in Alaska. As a community, this group is concerned with establishing motorcycle awareness among people and offers motorcycle-riding classes. Since our motorcycle safety-training program began in 1991, A.B.A.T.E. of Alaska Inc. has trained over 20,000 riders to get their endorsements, learn how to ride safer, and to be more responsible motorcycle operators on Alaska roads and highways. For more information about the event, please email blessing@abateofalaska.com or call 907-360-0517.