VIEWFINDER: Blessing of the Bikes

There was no maypole at  on May 1, but motorcyclists gathered around the revving of engines for "Blessing of the Bikes."

The ceremony consisted of blessing each bike individually with a prayer and holy water.

Despite the drizzle, approximately 200 people rolled into the open-air establishment in Elkridge for the event, said Terri Daniels, who handles marketing for the restaurant; she is also the granddaughter of founder Emily Daniels.

The turnout was down from previous years, according to Daniels, who said this was the seventh annual Blessing of the Bikes in Elkridge. "Normally, we have 600 bikes," she said, "but the rain kicked our butt."

Proceeds from the event went to Dr. Bob's Place, which provides hospice care for children with life-limiting illnesses in the Baltimore-Washington area.