The family-friendly all day live music event at Harley’s
By Gill Sherry
When it comes to a family day out, it doesn’t come much better than Harley’s ‘Rock the Nile’ all day live
music event.
Taking place at their premises in Nile Court, Ayr on Saturday 8th April, this free-to-attend event will appeal to all ages, with competitions, craft and gift stalls, raffles, face painting and live music. Not forgetting the beer garden and the hundreds of motorbikes that will come from far and wide.
Originally established in 2012 as ‘Breast Way Round’ by organisers Jazz Buchannan and Jaqui Monahan, this fund-raising event attracts locals and visitors alike. Harley’s Steven Muir explains what it’s all about.
“Last year we raised £1,300 for Cash for Kids. This year we’re looking to double that for our chosen charity, Crohn’s Colitis UK.”
Staff member Rachael Rennie was diagnosed with Crohn’s 25 years ago resulting in two major surgeries. It was this personal connection that led to Harley’s naming Crohn’s Colitis UK as its preferred charity in order to raise awareness and funds to help others like Rachael.
“It’s pretty epic, to be honest,” Steven continues. “The bikers set off on a bike run in the morning, then they return to Nile Court to display all of the different bikes. This leads out onto Ayr High Street and that leads up to a day filled with live music and family-friendly fun.”
Over 150 bikes converged for the event last year ranging from eye-catching Harley-Davidsons to old-school Triumphs, and Steven expects more of the same on 8th April.
“They park either side of the street leading up to Nile Court and then filter out into the High Street. Everybody wants to take pictures of the bikes. At the bottom of Nile Court there’s an archway. There’s a big roar when they come in and when they leave under the arch, there’s a crazy sound of engines as they head off on their way home.”
But there’s far more to it than just bikes, with live music playing all day long.
“At Harley’s we’re very much a live music venue. Across the year everybody puts their name in a hat if they want to come and play at this event. It’s such a big thing, but we narrow it down and make sure there is a great range for all attending.”
It will, of course, evolve as night falls but the emphasis during the day is very much on family fun.
“It’s such an enjoyable day, and we’re just hoping to raise as much money as we can.”
In addition to this ‘Rock the Nile’ fundraising event, Rachael herself is taking part in the London Marathon on Sunday 23rd April, a tough challenge for even the fittest participants. Not only does Rachael live with Crohn’s, ten years ago she was also diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a condition which was escalated by her treatments for Crohn’s.
If you’d like to sponsor Rachael you can do so at https://2023tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/rachael-rennie.
As for ‘Rock the Nile’ – see you there!
