Public invited to unique Summer Fest

Perhaps some of the public has a negative stereotype of motorcyclists. Hearing their loud engines, seeing them splitting lanes while speeding down the freeway and reading about the drugs and violence associated with some bike clubs can be rather intimidating.
But have no fear. That is far from the whole story. There are some clubs within the motorcycle community with a different focus: physical well-being and spiritual welfare, especially of their fellow bikers. One of these is Gilroy’s CROSS Motorcycle Club and Ministries which is sponsoring a fun event for the whole family: Summer Fest.
This festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 21 at Cycle Gear, 6920 Chestnut St. in Gilroy. This local outlet of a national retailer is noted for stocking a large variety of cycling accessories. They are co-sponsoring Summer Fest and providing use of the store’s spacious parking lot so that all activities can be kept off busy city streets.
There will be events to entertain the whole family, including:
• Car show with souped-up street racers
• Low-rider bike show
• Drawings for prizes
• Four bands, one featuring a well-established band of CROSS members playing Christian music
• Food booths offering quality fare at reasonable prices
• A variety of other booths from local vendors
• Kids’ events like bounce house, bicycle-pedaling races
• Slow races where motorcyclists compete to stay aloft at the slowest possible speed.
There will be no admission charge, according to the Rev. Terry Burley, Cross member and Pastor of Gilroy’s St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church.
“We want to draw the biker and non-biker community together for a day of good family fun,” he said.
Any proceeds or donations raised from Summer Fest will be contributed to the following nonprofit organizations:
• Adopt a Family, a charity that seeks to prevent homelessness through rental assistance, utility payment subsidies, food vouchers, and help with auto repairs. It is known for effective, compassionate, and successful methods.
• Wounded Soldiers: a foundation providing for the needs of combat veterans deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Father Terry invites local residents to attend this exciting festival, likening it to Hollister’s famous Fourth of July motorcycle event, though on a smaller scale.
CROSS Motorcycle Club and Ministry is a nonprofit, nondenominational organization that partners with local churches in efforts to assist the community through providing prayer, counseling and a respectful, non-judgmental, credible Christian presence within the motorcycle community.
From a humble beginning in Los Banos where Lupe and Yolanda Gomez started the ministry with the encouragement of their pastor, CROSS has formed chapters throughout California and as far away as Denver, Colo. and Nigeria, Africa.
While they need to be able to ride, people do not need to own a motorcycle to join CROSS; some of the most active support members do not own one at all. According to the group’s website, “It’s not about the bikes but about Our Lord as we proclaim the truth that Christ rescues our sinful souls. It’s not what you ride; it’s who you ride for.”
For more information, visit crossmcministies.net or call (408) 413-9052.