Stephen Vance, Staff
The OPP’s Golden Helmets precision motorcycle team will make their third Meaford appearance at this year’s 20th anniversary edition of the Scarecrow Invasion & Family Festival. The Golden Helmets previously performed at the 2010 and 2013 festivals.
Ride Master Sergeant Lise Grenier met with reporters last week to show off one of their motorcycles – a 2014 Harley Davidson FLHTP.
Sgt. Grenier told reporters that there will be 16 motorcycles along with a commentator putting on this year’s performance, which will take place on Sykes Street at 5 p.m. on Friday, September 30, before the Scarecrow Parade marches down the same street to kick off this year’s festival.
“This is a great event for us. We always look forward to it, there’s always a good crowd, it’s a great venue,” Grenier told reporters.
The Golden Helmets is a team of OPP motorcycle riders from all over Ontario who perform precision riding manoeuvres at events across the province on their 900 pound Harley Davidson motorcycles. The team was established in 1963. When the Golden Helmets last visited Meaford in 2013, they were celebrating their own anniversary – 50 years. The highly skilled motorcycle unit typically book 15 performances each year throughout the province.
Grenier said that the Golden Helmets’ performance will last roughly 35 to 40 minutes, and the officers and their motorcycles will head for the harbour afterwards to meet festival attendees.
“The after-show, that’s the fun part,” said Genier. “It’s the kids that come and line up because they want to talk to you.”
While at the harbour, the officers on the Golden Helmets team will have their own hockey card-style cards to give out, and they will also have posters to give away as well other items available available for purchase in support of children’s charities.
