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Founders take part in their final Blessing of the Bikes

Jackie Ingraham, a staple of the Marshalltown biking community, had one word to describe her feelings Saturday afternoon at Riverview Park.

“I’m overwhelmed,” Jackie said, while sitting next to husband Fred. “With the weather, with this turnout, it makes me actually want to cry.”

She was contemplating the reception she and her husband had received from the hundreds of people who attended the 25th edition of the Blessing of the Bikes, a milestone event the Ingrahams could not hold last year due to restrictions placed on large gatherings by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is the final year that Fred and Jackie will be leaders in organizing the event, having helped get it underway 26 years ago and then turning it into one of the biggest biking events in the state over time. Despite the windy, cool weather, the Ingrahams were blown away by the amount of people who showed up.

Fred said he was very thankful for the help of the biking community.

“We’ve had a ton of support from the community,” Fred said. “The whole community has really stepped up and donated a lot of stuff.”

Their longevity, which also applies to the F & J Racing bike repair shop the couple owns, has resulted in consistent high attendance. The couple has never made money on the event — but that’s by design.

Each year, the proceeds all go to multiple charities of their choice. This year, they are not 100 percent sure yet which they will give to. But Jackie said the money they give away always goes to those who need it most. She gave a lot of credit to the biking community for providing the help for those charities.

“People have such mixed emotions [about bikers],” Jackie said. “I have to tell you, they’re some of the most generous people you’ll ever meet.”

One of the biggest helpers and partners for the duo along the way has been Tom Reynolds, who has helped Jackie plan for at least a decade.

But his relationship with the Ingrahams has been ongoing for more than 30 years.

“I’ve known Fred since the days when he first started working on my bike,” Reynolds said. “I just hung tough, and when they decided that they wanted to move the event to the next step, I was more than willing to organize.”

The trio was all over the place Saturday, making sure things ran smoothly and speaking to those in attendance. It was a mix of new people and old friends coming together to reminisce, Reynolds said. Food stands were provided by Clare’s Tenderloin, La Carreta, The Flying Elbow and Smokin’ G’s BBQ, giving guests options. Vintage bikes were on display as well. Those in attendance could buy raffle tickets to donate to charity and could bid on items in a silent auction.

Crucial to the event is the blessing, generally performed by a minister from the Least of Saints ministry, a motorcycle club guided by faith.

Speaking at the event was pastor Scott Green, who took the stage after a performance of the National Anthem. Following a brief performance from the MacKenzie Highlanders Pipes and Drums of Iowa, Green urged the crowd in attendance to think about the past year and think of the blessing as more than just a prayer for good weather and safe travels.

“This is too good of an event for it to not be around,” Green said. “I want your motorcycle to run, I want good weather for everyone, and I want it for me. But I want you to understand that we’re gonna pray to bless each and every one of you who sit on these machines. Everybody here does something that other people do not want to do, and everyone here does this because you live to do this. So we’re gonna talk to God about this motorcycle thing.”

Contact Noah Rohlfing at 641-753-6611 or nrohlfing@timesrepublican.com.

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