By Scott D. Johnston
For The Daily World
As John Kaye of Steppenwolf sings: “Get your motor runnin’ … head out on the highway!”
This weekend, the “lookin’ for adventure” leads to Ocean Shores where, for the 28th year, bikers will bring their heavy metal machines in pursuit of fun.
Bikers at the Beach, at the Ocean Shores Convention Center this weekend, is produced by Ocean Shores homeowner and part-time resident Dennis Irby and Puget Sound Trade Shows and Events. The Hog Wild Coastal Rally starts Thursday at Quinault Beach Resort and Casino, produced by Roadshows Inc. of Reno, Nevada.
Both events offer a variety of spectator and biker participatory activities, planned rides, vendors and live music. Both events require that bikers who want to take part in any of the games or VIP activities and offerings register and “pay to play.” And each event has its own variety of content.
Bikers at the Beach will include three Saturday morning runs to Central Elementary School in Hoquiam, which will feed into a massive parade from Hoquiam to Ocean Shores. A 60-mile run from event sponsor Northwest Harley Davidson in Lacey will start at 8 a.m. A South Beach run from 3G’s Cafe in Westport gets underway at 8:30 a.m., and a run from the Ocean Shores Convention Center begins at 9 a.m.
The expected thousands of bikers will then head north at 10 a.m., escorted by the Hoquiam Police Department. Ocean Shores officers will welcome the parade around 10:30. It will proceed south on Pt. Brown Avenue to the roundabout at Chance a la Mer, then 5 miles down Pt. Brown to Marine View Drive and Oyhut Bay, before taking Ocean Shores Boulevard back to the Convention Center.
Crowds last year loved the motorcycle stunt shows, so the event has doubled up on them this time around, adding One Wheel Revolution, an all-Harley stunt team from Billings, Montana. Returning is the Tenino Motorcycle Drill Team.
At 8 p.m. both Friday and Saturday nights, the Convention Center will host an 18-and-older, ticketed biker party with live music, contests and a beer garden and bar. The Motors play Friday night and then open for Moonshine Bandits on Saturday. A “platinum” registration — $40 in advance online at www.bikersatthebeach.com or $50 at the door — covers admission to the biker parties both nights, as well as participation in the Saturday bike show and all related games and contests. Participation in the bike show, games and contests without admission to the parties is $20 in advance and $25 at the event.
Irby’s company took over management of the event last year. “This is the most fun event we do. Bikers are A to Z, and it’s been very enjoyable to work with them,” he said.
“You’ll notice almost all bikers supports kids’ charities,” he added. “We’re pleased to have Bikers Against Child Abuse and Communities in Schools,” plus several local nonprofits, at the event.
At Quinault Beach, the Hog Wild event opens Thursday with free live music by four bands over the next three days. Local favorites Corey Daniels and Humptulips will play Thursday night and Friday and Saturday afternoons. Lucky Tongue plays all three days. All-female AC/DC tribute band Hell’s Belles will play Friday night and Saturday afternoon, and a Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute band, Creedence Revelation, plays on Saturday night.
A $60 registration fee is required to participate in games and contests. It also includes Friday and Saturday dinner buffets, an event T-shirt, and VIP parking and concert seating. Registration is available at the door or online at www.roadshowsreno.com.
Hog Wild organizers have put together five self-guided rides for the weekend, all beginning at the resort. The Merriman Falls ride goes northeast through Copalis Crossing and Humptulips, to the waterfall at Lake Quinault, then back to the coast via the Moclips Highway. Another ride goes to Charlie’s Sports Bar in Montesano, then returns via State Route 107 and through Cosmopolis.
The South Beach Ride goes through Westport en route to Tokeland. The Brooklyn Tavern Ride goes through Cosmopolis and Artic, then follows 16 miles of the North River Road to the “old tavern in the mountains somewhere, in the middle of nowhere.” Another ride goes to the Satsop Business Park, east of Montesano.
