The sound of engines revving from a steady stream of motorcycles and classic cars spilling onto the street was a fitting tribute to Sam Bielich.
When Bridge 12 Pub owner Jovan Bielich planned his annual Port Robinson “Bridgefest” street party to usher in the summer, he decided to add a Show ‘n Shine event, and invite some of his late father’s friends last Saturday.
The senior Bielich and Gary Graham co-founded the Niagara Back Alley Cruisers, which began with four wheels and eventually added motorcycles to the club of “car guys,” explained Graham.
“If it’s got a motor, we like it.”
The Cruisers donated “a lot of money to charities,” he added, “and Sam was always up for helping people. He was pretty outspoken; good with his grandchildren, and a great family guy.”
Sam passed away 10 years ago, and Jovan said he inherited his father’s love of anything with wheels.
“I used to race cars every weekend,” he said, in Cayuga, Lancaster, and the Florida Keys.
“Business is in my blood,” he added, as his family previously owned Sam’s Montrose Inn and the Riverside Tavern, before he bought the Bridge 12 Pub in Port Robinson three years ago.
Surrounded by club members, family, friends, and large crowds, Bielich hosted live bands in the afternoon and evening and an all-day food fest at the pub and eatery, with all proceeds slated for the Port Robinson Community Centre.
Back Alley Cruisers member Saverio Anthony Biamonte hand-crafted artistic trophies from gears and various other car parts for the Show ‘n Shine winners. All entrance fees paid by the show's vehicle owners were collected by the club, and $1,300 was donated to Hospice Niagara, an organization which brought comfort to Sam Bielich during his final days.
