AVA Visits Local Sites, Group Plans Return Visit

Motorcyclists with the American Voyagers Association enjoyed visiting St. Ignace for their annual rally for five days in August. Members of the group, all Kawasaki Voyager owners, parked their bikes outside Little Bear East Arena to form the letters "AVA," and City Manager Eric Dodson took this aerial photograph of the arrangement. Motorcyclists with the American Voyagers Association visited St. Ignace for their annual rally for five days in August, and 231 bikers enjoyed a picnic and awards ceremony at Little Bear East Arena. Invited by the Visitors Bureau to visit St. Ignace, the group in turn invited Kelly Simmons of the Visitors Bureau, City Manager Eric Dodson, and Mayor Paul Grondin to join them for their banquet Wednesday, August 16, at which time Mr. Grondin presented them with a key to the city. Members of the group, the largest association for owners of Kawasaki Voyager motorcycles, visited several local attractions and paraded down State Street on their motorcycles on the evening of Friday, August 18.

After the event, Duane and Charlotte Ash, chairmen of AVA, wrote to their St. Ignace hosts, praising the warm welcome they had received from many local businesses.

"We have never received a better reception, met kinder people, had such an accommodating city, and saw such beautiful country all at the same time," Mr. Ash said. "St. Ignace is a phenomenal city!" The association has members

from across the country, and in six other countries, and is headquartered in Idaho. Mr. Ash pointed out that a group of 48 couples is already planning a return visit to the city, and AVA members would like to return for another rally in coming years.