Film star and Saturday Night Live alum Dan Aykroyd is coming to the West Shore to help raise money for an ailing local teen and to promote his vodka distillery.
The Canadian screen icon’s first stop Saturday is Steve Drane Harley Davidson (2940 Ed Nixon Terr.) at 11:30 a.m. From there, Aykroyd, Steve Drane and others take to the road on two wheels for a motorcycle rally down the Trans-Canada Highway, winding up at Liquor Planet (2317 Millstream Rd.).
Taking part in the ride is by donation, with all money raised going to support Zack Downey, a 17-year-old Langford resident diagnosed with terminal cancer.
After the ride Aykroyd will be at Liquor Planet from 1 to 4 p.m., meeting with fans and signing a special product from his side gig.
Aykroyd is one of the founders of Crystal Head Vodka, a Canadian distillery based in Newfoundland and known for its skull-shaped bottles. The distillery has assembled a limited edition gift set commemorating the 50th anniversary of The Rolling Stones.
Liquor Planet owner Ron Cheeke said the gift sets are already going fast.
“We’ve sold already 100 of them today,” he said earlier this week.
“This is awesome. This is what Langford needs, something to energize the community right now, just as the sun is starting to come out. It’s going to be a great day.”
A burger and beer fundraiser at the Loghouse Pub will follow the public appearance, with all profits again going to Downey and his family.
A baseball tournament is also in the works to raise money for the Downey family, happening May 10 and 11 in Colville Park in Esquimalt.
For information on the tournament, call Launa Nikkels at 250-216-3936.
kwells@goldstreamgazette.com