Conga III Update

This past weekend my good friend Jenn Geeson and Len Redekopp hosted a Barbeque at the Movie Gallery in Mill Bay. Jenn has ridden in the past two Congas with me, as well as helping organize me and the Conga itself. She went out of her way organizing the BBQ to make it another huge success. When those two get together, they can put on a great event. On Sunday May 23^rd, we managed to raise close to $700.00 selling hot dogs, burgers and Breast Cancer items.

As you can see we had a great time doing it. The sea of pink rolled in slowly on pinked out bikes.  The riders themselves were dressed in anything from a neon pink wig and pink bra on the outside of their clothing, to full pink leathers, gloves, and boots.  We even had the guys join in wearing pink, from wigs to glasses and leis.  The bikes were from mild to wild so to speak.  Simple decorating of breast cancer ribbons on the tins and pool noodles wrapped around headlights and taillights to full blown Conga machines, that included flags, magnets, pink crystals stuck to every imaginable place, pink leather in the tassels and even pink sheepskins.  We left Jenn in charge of the orders and as usual Len was an awesome cook for the day.  They kept up with the orders and everyone was happy with the food, especially the combo burgers which had a wiener sliced in half on top.  The rest of this roving band of pink took to the highway to draw in the customers.  It was definitely traffic stopping to see this group in pink flagging down traffic.  There was also the introduction of a new Conga mascot who became known as Rozilla, that was so entertaining she almost caused a few accidents. 

Thanks so much to Jenn and Len for all their hard work!  She is way more than just a spirit rider this year!!  I would also like to say Thank You to Doug at the Movie Gallery – Mill Bay, for his space and support, Rory from M&M Meats – Duncan, for the burgers and dogs and also Dave from Save On Foods – Westside, for all of the buns.  Without you, all of this would have been impossible.

 A lot of the Island Riders came out to support this event. The first being the SCRC riding club from Victoria that got the coals going and the BBQ off to a great start.  We also had riders stop in from Port Alberni and even from the Mainland.  A lot of the gals riding in the Conga this year came out and some of us were meeting for the first time. Everyone got decked out in pink along with their bikes.

We have our very own Conga Photographer from Campbell River that came down for the day, Mike Goodman from MG Digital Art. He took many candid pre Conga shots of us while going about hustling up business and he will be making a DVD with all the pictures and donating a portion to the Conga Cause. After the BBQ, Mike followed the group to Whippletree Junction, known for its false front buildings to do a photo shoot of the Conga Chicks and their rides. With a small shower passing through, we thought it was going to end the chances of some photos, but the sun came back out and we found this great back alley courtyard with a fountain that we all parked in.  Each bike in front of a different store.  The merchants came outside to see what was going on and loved what we were doing, the riders in pink and the bikes.  One merchant spent the rest of the day with us taking her own set of pictures of everything that was going on and another we found out was a Breast Cancer Survivor herself and was so pleased that we were doing what we are.  Eventually we thanked Mike for his efforts and the gang said goodbye and split up to head to their own destinations.  Mike will be following the Conga as it leaves and stopping at each pick up place on the Island.  He will be filming us coming in and leaving and meeting us at the next stop. 

Jenn is also putting on the Grand Finale Show and Shine August 14 for when the Conga returns. This will be in Nanaimo at Timberlands Pub.  Be sure to mark it on your calendar. We are having live music, food, vendors, 50/50’s, all of the regular categories plus an extra PINK category!!  At the end of the day, besides the awards, we will be handing over a cheque to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, BC/Yukon Region.  We are still looking for vendors and donations for the show, so if you are interested in being a vendor or have an item to donate for a door prize, please contact Jenn at dragonfyre@shaw.ca. 

If Sunday was just a sample of what this girl can pull off, then August 14^th ought to be fantabulous!

More exciting stuff in the works