Red, Wright and Blue fundraiser organizers have encountered an unexpected obstacle: Interest has outpaced their expectations.Originally scheduled to be held at Diekroeger Park, the April 29 event raising money for a new Wright City police dog is on pace to be much larger than organizers anticipated. The newly organized motorcycle festival has been moved to Cedar Lake Cellars winery southeast of Wright City off Highway M.“Even before we had it, it has outgrown the park,” said Curt Kehoe, director of parks and recreation. “It turns out Cedar Lake has more room and is a better place for it.”Red, Wright and Blue is a motorcycle festival to raise funds to replace Wright City’s current police dog, Zeus, who will be retired for health reasons. Vendors, parts swapping, a silent auction, raffles and live music are planned, in addition to the featured motorcycle show.When the event first was planned, organizers set a goal of attracting 250 participants to bring their motorcycles for the bike show, with others coming just to spectate.According to Police Chief Matt Eskew, motorcycle enthusiasts warned organizers to prepare for as many as 1,000 motorcycles, along with crowds of spectators needing parking space for hundreds of vehicles.“Originally, when we opted to move this out of Wright City, I was a little upset,” Eskew said. “However, when you look at that (number) and the way Cedar Lake is set up, I think it will actually pan out better for us. It will be safer for everybody.”This potentially will be the largest event city employees have ever hosted, assisted by Cedar Lake staff. Although there could be hundreds of people coming and going, Eskew said he doesn’t anticipate any major issues.He said the police department and Wright City Fire Protection District will set up a command trailer and work together to keep crowds organized.“It is only a five-hour event, but when you pack that many people into one location, you’re looking at directing some traffic,” Eskew said.Between providing security for the event and running normal patrols, Eskew said most of his staff will be on duty that day.Replacing Zeus with a new police dog likely will cost $15,000 or more. Organizers initially hoped to raise $11,000 this year, with $4,000 going to event expenses and $7,000 going to the police department. The intent was to host the event every year until enough funds were raised.Event planner Kim Jumper was more conservative in her estimates for the day, predicting around 500 bikes at the event with about 300 participating in the motorcycle show. She said preregistration has been low so far, but that many participants probably will register the day of the event.Sponsorships and commitments have Jumper confident that they will reach their fundraising target. If all of the commitments come through, “we’re definitely halfway to a dog,” Jumper said. And in the optimistic scenario that they raise the full amount for a dog, she said any extra funds would go toward a new vest.Other groups are donating items for a silent auction and raffles at the event, including a recent donation of zoo passes from the Kansas City Zoo.She added that Cedar Lake Cellars at first was only approached for donations, but offered to move the festival there as interest grew.“We were nervous what we were going to do with all these people,” Jumper said. “Cedar Lake came and offered to host.”The Red, Wright and Blue motorcycle festival was proposed by State Rep. Bryan Spencer, whose legislative district includes Wright City and Wentzville. He said he hopes the motorcycle festival can become an annual fundraising event for the city, even after a new police dog is purchased.Jumper said St. Louis Skylights, the Warrenton Marine Corps League and EPC in Wright City are sponsoring the motorcycle festival. Anyone who wants to register for the event can send an email to rwbmf2017@gmail.com.Jumper asked that anyone who wants to send donations for a new police dog write a check to “Red, Wright and Blue,” and send it to P.O. Box 445 in Wentzville, MO 63385.More information can be found online at the Red Wright and Blue Motorcycle Fest Facebook event page.Cedar Lake Cellars is located at 11008 Schreckengast Road.Motorcycle festival