50,000 hit Port Dover for Friday the 13th biker party

PORT DOVER, Ont. – About 50,000 bikers and spectators converged on Port Dover, Ont., for the traditional Friday the 13th festivities.

Rain had been expected to dampen spirits for the only Friday the 13th this year in the town on the Lake Erie shoreline.

Police had been expecting about 15,000, but the rain held off and the town of 5,500 was swelled by more than 20,000 motorcycle enthusiasts and numerous spectators.

Dozens of police officers were on hand to keep an eye on the traffic and the crowds as they admired thousands of pricey high-end and customized Harleys.

The attendees were kept entertained by live bands and beer tents as booths did a brisk business selling Friday the 13th T-shirts.

This was the 51st Friday the 13th celebration since the tradition began in November 1981 when about 25 friends got together at a Port Dover hotel.