Organizers expecting 50K in attendance at Digby’s Wharf Rat Rally this weekend

CITYnews halifax \ By Dan Ahlstrand

Motorcyclists from North America are descending on Nova Scotia this weekend for the 19th annual Wharf Rat Rally in Digby.

RCMP say they expect a large crowd for the five-day event and will be out in force to ensure everyone stays safe.

For the last 19 years, bikers have marked the Labour Day long weekend on their calendars and make the yearly trek to Digby for the gathering. Police say organizers expect 50,000 people to visit the town over the event, which begins Thursday and runs through holiday Monday.

To facilitate an event of this size and some associated activities, RCMP says there will be several street closures in and around Digby all weekend. The Mounties say they will have a significant presence in Digby to help with the enforcement of no-parking zones and for the promotion of public safety and are reminding participants to follow the rules:

• Whether you’re riding, driving or walking, be aware of the traffic around you. Ensure other motorists see you and know what you’re doing.
• If you plan on walking to and from events, wear light-coloured clothing, stay in well-lit areas, and refrain from walking in the middle of the road.
• Obey the rules of the road, and respect posted speed limits, as well as the rights of pedestrians and other drivers.
• Don’t drink and drive. Ensure you have a designated driver.
• Ensure you’re familiar with and abide by the Nova Scotia Smoke Free Places Act, which applies to tobacco, cannabis and e-cigarettes: https://novascotia.ca/smoke-free-places/.If you smoke, please do so in the designated spaces.
• Exercise patience when driving in and around the downtown area. Much of the downtown core of Digby will be closed to local traffic, and parking will be limited.
• Give yourself extra time to get where you’re going.
• When parking your cars or motorcycles, keep valuables out of sight.

Drivers are also encouraged to watch for pedestrian, motorcycle and vehicle traffic associated with the event and to allow for extra time to get where they are going.

Events at the rally get underway at 10 a.m. Thursday and wrap up Monday evening with fireworks on the Digby waterfront.

More information on the 19th annual event is available here.