Lone Star Rally 2011 Celebrates 10 Years and Nearly a Half Million Strong
[GALVESTON, Texas – November 11, 2011] – In ten short years, the Lone Star Rally weekend has exploded into an epic event. With record crowds reaching close to half million, the Galveston, Texas, motorcycle rally is now on par with national majors like Daytona Bike Week, Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and Laconia Bike Week.
What makes a rally successful? It is the passion and expertise behind its production team because producing the Lone Star Rally mirrors producing a blockbuster Broadway musical. There are many moving parts to this well oiled machine and lots of attention to detail to pull off a victorious event in a mere single weekend. The bigger rallies usually last a week or more.
Concentrated mostly on the Strand, Harborside and Pier 21, it was a motorcycle-themed Mardi-Gras style party with beads tossed, smiling faces, laughter and dancing in the streets. What makes the Lone Star Rally so very unique is its celebratory nature rooted in both the rally producers’ goal to present a well rounded and entertaining event and the City of Galveston’s welcoming embrace.
And well rounded it was with a treat for everyone. Television stars Tommy “Chibs” Flanagan and Ryan “Opie” Hurst signed autographs for eager fans lined up blocks to meet the Sons of Anarchy television characters. Michael Ballard and Angie of Full Throttle Saloon and TruTV show also greeted a steady stream of admirers. The bike builders’ lot showcased the edgy creations of Rick Fairless, Paul Yaffe, the Martin Bros., Southern Metal Choppers and Bourget Bikes, among others, who were onsite to meet patrons. “Once you have experienced The Strand and its non-stop party you’ll never forget it! It reminds us of Mardi Gras in New Orleans,” said Paul Yaffe of Bagger Nation.
Galveston is certainly one of the most unique rallies that we’ve attended and we can certainly see why it keeps on growing every year.
Fine artist, David Uhl, with illustrator, Danial James, set up an impressive Uhl Studio gallery of high end apparel and fine art at the D’Vine Wine courtyard on the Strand. Pinstriping artist Mark Brodie joined them. Yamaha and Can-Am held demo rides and Progressive Motorcycles created a carnival gaming area just off the Strand. A huge variety of quality merchandisers and food hawkers lined several streets throughout the rally.
The Lone Star Rally All Star Roundup bike show debuted this year with over one hundred bike entrants with judging by motorcycle icons Rick Fairless, Jody and Dave Perewitz, and Paul Yaffe, including other experts. “Man, there were some really bad ass bikes in the show. It was awesome and I’ll be back to judge it again next year,” said Rick Fairless.
Co-produced by Rick “Dakota” Kempf of Motorcycle Cowboys, enthusiasts packed Pier 21 to check out the coolest bikes of all makes and models, including sport bikes and radical backyard builds. “This was one of the best bike shows I’d ever judged. It was excellent. Very well organized and fun,” said judge Puppy, an independent bike builder and Sturgis rally character.
Jay Allen, founder of the legendary Broken Spoke Saloon, was the consummate emcee for the rally. He entertained like a one man show hosting the bike show and events and then engaging as master of ceremony at two stages. Time lined to the minute, he dashed from events to stages sometimes arriving on his FXR race bike sponsored by S&S Cycles and Baker Drive Train and rocking a tire burn out to rousing ovation. At the pier stage, concert guests Allen and Jody Perewitz, daughter of celebrity bike builder Dave Perewitz and fastest woman on a V-Twin at the Bonneville Salt Flats, went head-to-head in a burnout, which served as a high octane welcome to the rock group Buck Cherry.
The Geico Bike-Giveaway was comedy for the vast crowds when Allen dialed the winner’s home number live to announce the good fortune earned from a raffle pick, and the lady who answered kept hanging up thinking it was a prank call. G.J. Portida of the Dallas area was the lucky winner of a Harley-Davidson Fatboy. He was tracked down far from home lounging in his hotel after a long rally day.
What’s a rally without honoring the military and first responders? Organized by Carrie Rep of R&R Promotions, the Lone Star Rally Freedom Ride attracted several hundred riders. Participants were treated to a country rock concert by motorcycle enthusiast and musician, Jared Blake, finalist on NBC TV’s The Voice, at the Jagermeister stage. Proceeds from the ride benefited Soldiers Angels. Another successful charity ride was The Outlaw Dave Ranch Ride to benefit Stevens and Pruett Humane Ranch for Children and Animals which was led by Tommy “Chibs” Flanagan of Sons of Anarchy fame.
Rally superstars Farrell Webber, Ryan Rolando, Big Engine and Jasmine Cain rocked the Budweiser and Jagermeister Stages all day into the night. Houston act Josh Fuller and Dirt & Diesel kept the crowds dancing all the way to the last minute of rally. Other local musicians that appeared were Dimitri’s Rail, Dun Ville, Staci’s Edge, Zach Tate and O.G.R.E., which stands for Older Guys Rocking Excessively and rock excessively they did.
Appropriate to the Lone Star theme, Kolby Gray, a rising country star from Nashville, floored the Strand crowds with an acoustic version of his song, “Texas.” The velvety voice twenty-one-year old also opened for Marshall Tucker and Fuel on Friday night, and the Fabulous Thunderbirds and Buck Cherry on Saturday at a concert on the pier, an event presented by another group, separate from the Lone Star Rally.
Motorcyclists of every race, creed and club came together to celebrate ten years of the Lone Star Rally and pay homage to the motorcycle lifestyle. “From the one percenters to the first timers, all were in harmony. Everyone was respectful to one another. It was righteous and I was very impressed,” added Allen, now in his third year as host of the rally and a veteran motorcycle event producer.
Accommodating and gracious certainly described the disposition of both the police department and fire department at the Lone Star Rally. “The secret ingredient to a rally’s success is to embrace it and that is what the City of Galveston does,” said Allen.
The Lone Star Rally producers recently renewed their contract for several more years and will expand back to the Seawall for 2012, providing opportunity for large manufacturers and more vendors. “The City of Galveston, the police, the fire department, the council, the mayor, and all city workers involved to make this rally work as efficiently as possible, including the residents and local businesses, are to be thoroughly thanked and acknowledged. The incredible support of this wonderful city truly contributed to the unprecedented success of this year’s rally.” said Lone Star Rally co-owner and producer Melissa Penland.
“Great people, great times. What an outstanding gathering for our island,” commented Galveston Police Chief, Lt. Henry Porretto.
The Lone Star Rally 10th Anniversary will be recorded as an historical event in both the history books of Galveston and the motorcycle culture. “The rally was successful to us, too, because our customers had the time of their lives at our 10th Anniversary event,” said Penland. “It took a lot of hard work and planning all year long to throw a party for almost a half million people and well worth it, because the success of the rally also benefits lovely Galveston.”
Images by Bart Alan as marked or Carrie Repp.
/>
