LAST Friday, Port Dover celebrated the 75th Friday the 13th event (PD13) since the tradition began in 1981. Although frosty temperatures cooled the excitement found at summertime events, an estimated hundred motorcyclists rode their bikes to town for the occasion. Sunny skies helped bring out several hundreds more people to check out the scenes in Port Dover.

Motorcyclists parked their rides along Main Street and by the beach and set out for a day packed with camaraderie. Many stopped by shops and restaurants in town.

One man who wouldn’t miss PD13 was Danny Dejoka of Kitchener, who arrived on his bike in a Santa Claus costume, complete with hat, hair, and beard.

“Since 1989, I’ve missed only one [PD13] when I was in Europe,” Mr. Dejoka said. “A little cold today.”

He jokingly chastised his riding peers who opted to stay home on Friday.

“Not too many people… but everyone knows it’s the 75th anniversary. Come on guys, don’t be chicken!”

He also heaped praise on Port Dover, saying that he loves the community, the people, and all it has to offer.

“It’s a beautiful, beautiful town. I think it’s one of the best towns in Ontario. And I’ve been everywhere.”

He said he brings his boat to the area “all the time in the summer” and loves visiting Knechtel’s, which he said has been his “favourite restaurant for years and years.”

While posing for a video, he proudly declared, “Welcome to Port Dover Friday the 13th!”

During the Maple Leaf’s interview with Mr. Dejoka, a small crowd of friends, acquaintances, and strangers gathered around to take pictures with him. A pair who posed with Mr. Dejoka and shared their “biker names” were Hollywood and Biker Grandma of Bolton. Both are big fans of PD13 who weren’t afraid of the cold.

Hollywood said he rode his motorcycle down for PD13 in December 2019. “There were only a few of us then,” he said.

They shared their excitement for spending the day in Port Dover. Shortly after, they joined the dozens of people streaming into The Beach House between 11:30 a.m. and noon.

Another PD13 attendee in costume was Rob Berg of Vittoria, who dressed as Santa Claus and The Grinch. He mentioned he’s been to more PD13s than he can remember but has come regularly since 2005.

“I started out dressing as the Grinch last year. But this is the first time riding to Dover on a bike in a Grinch costume,” Mr. Berg said.

He also shared his enthusiasm for the community and the benefits PD13 provides.

“Oh, it’s a beautiful town. Love this town. Friday the 13th brings lots of people around, it’s great for the economy, great for the people, the businesses.”

Marshall Dickson of Clarkson travelled to Port Dover for PD13 in his 2012 Scion iQ, which sported the decal of his Vulcan Drifter motorcycle. Mr. Dickson said he rode his bike for previous PD13s, “but now because it’s a little chilly, I brought the iQ.”

“The business I was in, transportation, led me to look for my decal people who used to decal our tractor trailers, and I asked the girls there and they said, ‘We like a challenge. We’ll do that,’ and they did, so Twin City Graphics put this on in Kitchener,” he said.

“I’m having a great day, the weather’s perfect, except for the temperature, but at least it’s warming up, nice and clear. I’ll be here for the 13th any time it happens.”

Karen Marriott of Orillia belongs to a group of friends who have attended PD13 since 1986. She commented on how pleasant the event experience was for her group.

“It’s really nice, it’s a nice crowd. It’s nice to shop and support the small town. Everybody’s friendly and it’s just a really nice outing,” Ms. Marriott said.

Brian Smith of St. Thomas brought his dog, Indie, for a ride to Port Dover in his Ural Patrol 750. He talked a bit about his bike and time in town.

“It’s got a sidecar and two-wheel drive. It’s a replica of a 1942 Russian vehicle from the war effort,” Mr. Smith said.

“Well, because of the weather, I didn’t expect to be seeing too many people. The dog in the sidecar here, he enjoys a ride.”

He said he’s noticed change and expansion in Port Dover over the last of couple years and thinks the town should “keep it up.”

“It’s a place to head for, it’s a nice ride,” he said, then joked, “It’s got a Timmies, that’s the main thing.”

The Maple Leaf also asked how business went on PD13 for some local restaurants.

Kylie Schneider, manager of the Terrace Room at the Erie Beach Hotel, said they had a busy morning on Friday.

“It was a good start to the day. We had lots of people right off the hop. It’s slowed down a little after lunch time, but hopefully it picks back up for dinner time,” Ms. Schneider said.
Knechtel’s on the Beach owner David Knechtel said his family’s indoor restaurants, The Beach House, the Dover Dairy Bar, and the Fisherman’s Catch, were busy.

“It’s been okay, better than any other Friday in December. It’s been going over quite well. The indoor restaurants are of course busy, so it’s going alright.”

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Originally published December 18, 2024