During the summer of 1982, several firefighters were visiting “Randy’s Cycle Shop” in Boylston, Massachusetts and the subject of motorcycle clubs came up. Soon they were all grousing about the fact that law enforcement people had a motorcycle club known as the Blue Knights but there was no club for firefighters. After this tire-kicking session, owner Randy Wilson suggested to Ed Wright, a firefighter from Northboro, MA, that he stop talking about the lack of a club and form one instead.

Recognizing a good idea when he heard one, Ed Wright went home that afternoon and made some hand-printed posters inviting firefighters from the area to meet and determine if there was enough interest to form a motorcycle club. On August 17th, 1982, Fire Chief Jack Pierce allowed a small group of motorcycle enthusiasts to meet in Northboro Fire Headquarters to lay the groundwork for the formation of a motorcycle club.

On October 19th, 1982, firefighters Colin Mackey, Bob Bourassa, Ed Wright, Roger Wentzell, Dave Hamilton, Bob Goulet, David Hunt, Jon Tripp, Don Parker, Norm Beausoleil, and Chief Pierce met again. There was interest in promoting the positive image of motorcycling while enjoying the camaraderie of other firefighters. It was decided then that this group would be known as the Red Knights Motorcycle Club.

News of this new club spread like a grass fire. In July of 1983, a chapter was formed in Connecticut. In October of that year, a second Massachusetts chapter was formed. Soon applications came in from such distant places as Nevada and Louisiana. In August of 1983, the founding members realized the organization was rapidly growing beyond its original expectations. To properly handle this growth they elected a committee to serve as a National Board of Directors. With applications from Ontario and Saskatchewan, Canada, the club became the Red Knights International Firefighters Motorcycle Club.

As a result of the seed that was planted at Randy’s in 1982, there are now more than 300 Red Knights chapters and 9,000 members throughout the world, Check out our chapter locations page for the various chapter locations

In 1984 the club's first convention was held in Boylston, MA since then conventions have been held annually in various locations and have been organized for all Red Knights to attend.  All Red Knight members are encouraged to attend.

Convention sites have been:

Year City of Convention State/Country Additional Notes
1984 Boylston Massachusetts   
1985 Boylston Massachusetts   
1986 Cromwell Connecticut  
1987 Boylston Massachusetts  
1988 Toronto Ontario   
1989 Mentor Ohio   
1990 Waterville Valley New Hampshire   
1991 Leamington Ontario   
1992 Worcester Massachusetts  
1993 Angola Indiana  
1994 Belleville Ontario   
1995 Dublin Ohio  
1996 Leamington Ontario  
1997 Marlborough Massachusetts  
1998 New York City New York  
1999 Daytona Beach Florida  
2000 Indianapolis Indiana  
2001 Winnipeg Manitoba  
2002 Warwick Rhode Island  
2003 Laval Quebec  
2004 Edmonton Alberta  
2005 Toronto Ontario  
2006 New York City New York  
2007 Worcester Massachusetts  
2008 Sandusky Ohio  
2009 Ft. Lauderdale Florida  
2010 Niagra Falls New York  
2011 Ocean City Maryland  
2012 Gettysburg  Pennsylvania  
2013 Rutland Vermont  
2014 Prince Edward Island Canada   
2015 San Antonio Texas   
2016 Wisconsin Dells Wisconsin  
2017 Syracuse New York   
2018 Pittsburgh Pennsylvania  
2019 Loon New Hampshire   
2020 Laon France (canceled due to pandemic)
2021 Saint John New Brunswick (canceled due to pandemic)
2022 Johnstown Pennsylvania  
2023 Fussach Austria  
       

List Of Past Executive and Board Members of the Red Knights Firefighters International Motorcycle Club Inc.

History of Executives, Committee Chairs, and Members

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