Weaverville – Cars and bikes lined Weaverville’s North Main Street while the music from a live band filled the air on Thursday. Was it an event put on by the town? No, it was Bike Nite held by Rodney’s Auto and its proprietor, Rodney Edwards.
Edwards has been holding these events during the summer months since 2006, but the fun and fundraising events are about to come to an end as Rodney is looking to at least scale back his time at work and start thinking about retirement. He plans to hold only one more Bike Nite at the end of the summer before calling it officially the end of the fundraiser. “Of course, in 2020 we had COVID, so we didn’t do it, and then last year I didn’t do it because of my wife [who had health issues]. So this is my last year doing it… I’m going to retire. Semi-retire. I’m still going to run the business three days a week,” explained Edwards as music blared in the background and people enjoyed hot dogs, hamburgers, and the bikes and cars that had come out for the event.
Asked why he does Bike Nite, Edwards said, “To give back to Cops for Kids and the veterans. I mean, I just love giving stuff to people and helping out…I back my veterans, Cops for Kids and law enforcement a 150 percent. ”
Edwards raises money through charging for vehicle entries, food sales and a 50/50 raffle. It’s a win-win event with participants and spectators having fun and raising money for worthy causes.
Asked what it’s meant to him to be able to do the events, Edward replied, “I just love the hell out of it! It’s a lot of fun for me. Just getting out here helping people out and giving back. It cost me… well, its a lot more now, quite a bit in cost. Everything I buy, it goes right back into the community. I don’t keep a dime of it.
Local band Rusted Kage has been Edwards’ band for the event all these years, and they were cranking out the tunes for Thursday’s event. As Edwards broke the news to the crowd that this would be the last year for the event, several shouted to keep it going, and the lead singer for the Rusted Kage also put a plug in to keep the event going.
Editor’s Note: All photos by Clint Parker.