Participants to the 24^th Annual B.J. Stelly Bike Blessing will have plenty of extra activities to keep them busy this year.

The event, which is a major fundraiser for the Port Arthur International Seafarers’ Center, 401 Houston Ave., will begin with registration, coffee and doughnuts and a movie for those so inclined to watch at 8 a.m. The bike blessing is set for 10 a.m.

A change-up of activities is in order this year as there has been a decline in the number of people who make the ride, said the Rev. Sinclair Oubre, who heads up the Apostleship of the Sea among.
“The blessing is as strong as ever,” Oubre said noting that about 400 bikes showed up last year. “There was the blessing, they got on their bikes, some did a little participation and some went home and prepared for their Easter celebration.”

So this year there will be a focus on local activities such as a scavenger hunt on Pleasure Island and, he said, through the kindness of Michael Wise of the Port Arthur Yacht Club, the facility will have an open house for the participants with snacks and beverages.

Remembering Tom Broussard

The event honors B.J. Stelly, a Port Acres resident and lifelong biker. Stelly battled addictions and during recovery, started volunteering at the center. Then, after two years of volunteerism, Stelly was killed in a motorcycle accident in Louisiana.

Organizers are set to honor another special friend — businessman Tom Broussard, who died in March after battling cancer.

Broussard was known to have sponsored all of the printing of the upward of 500 letters that are sent out in connection with the event through the years and also rode a motorcycle, taking part in the bike blessing.

Oubre said although the event is in honor of Stelly, it will also be in memory of Broussard for the things he has done in the past for the Seafarer’s Center.

Earplugs maybe

Participants in the event will also have a chance to make some noise this year with the Loud Pipes contest. The rider will drive up between two cones and make as much noise as they can while a decimal meter takes a reading. The two loudest sets of pipes will win prizes.

Good day for a ride

“The weather is supposed to be clear on Saturday, but it may rain tomorrow (Thursday),” Oubre said. “So that is going to make people hungry to ride.”

The group expects about 400 bikes, which equates to between 550 to 600 people.

This, he said, is a fundraiser to take care of the people that make the Sabine Neches Waterway one of the busiest in the country.

Sponsors of the event include Sempra LNG, Sabine Pilots and Port of Port Arthur.

Schedule

8 a.m. registration and coffee/doughnuts

8 a.m. motorcycle racing/bike movie on the big screen

10 a.m. bike blessing

11 a.m. link sandwich lunch opens

11:30 a.m. biker bingo

11:30 a.m. loud pipes competition

1 p.m. final door prize drawing and thanks