Committee members still enthusiastic about new layout
After a year without the biker rally, the organizing committee
has been working diligently on plans for a 2007 event. But even
with months of planning by the committee and an outside
professional promoter, local enforcement agents, businesses and
residents still have reservations.
Committee members still enthusiastic about new layout
After a year without the biker rally, the organizing committee has been working diligently on plans for a 2007 event. But even with months of planning by the committee and an outside professional promoter, local enforcement agents, businesses and residents still have reservations.
“I will always have concerns about street gangs and outlaw motorcycle gangs that are drawn to these types of events,” said Jeff Miller, Hollister Police Chief. “But [Seth] Doulbon is not responsible for that. All of the normal special event issues have been dealt with diligently.
Doulbon, who is with Horse Power Promotions, has been working with local law enforcement and fire officials to resolve possible problems.
One thing Doulbon has done is change the layout of the rally so that vendors are set up along the main drag. It allows police and fire to get in if there is an emergency because motorcycles will not be parked all along San Benito Street as in past years.
“The methods they used for set up before was extremely problematic,” Miller said. “Utilizing the new method it’s much easier to get fire engines and police cars down main street.”
Last year, officers were posted on every corner during the unofficial rally, but this year officers will be more mobile while patrolling the event, Miller said.
The organizing committee members are enthusiastic and have so far met their obligations, such as paying funds upfront to the city council for law enforcement costs.
“I think they have done everything they promised to do,” Councilman Doug Emerson said. “I look at the rally from somewhere in the middle. I want to see the local businesses succeed, but I don’t want to do so at the expense of the city. I think the promoter [Horse Power Promotions] has done a better job with relations between the city and the organizing committee. I feel more comfortable from a business standpoint.”
This year’s event will put an emphasis on the vendors and highlight the local businesses in Hollister, according to Seth Doulbon, of Horse Power Promotions. So far 151 slots have been sold in the downtown area, with about 20 slots left to sell. At the Fremont School location, which will be called Vendor Village, there are still 60 spaces left to sell.
Business owners in Downtown have mixed feelings. Muenzeurs cyclery and sports center has not been open in the past.
“Historically we haven’t been open,” Jerry Muenzeur said. “The way the rally was run before, they pretty much shut us down. The two to three blocks all around us were all closed up. We’re waiting to see how the organization is run this year before we decide whether to open or not.”
In the past, vendor booths had completely blocked off access to Muenzeurs which impacted the store’s business. However, Muenzeur has had several discussions with Doulbon who he said has indicated that food alley will be located along Fifth Street and will not incapacitate business at Muenzeur’s store.
For the event, the organizers will be closing off downtown Hollister to all traffic and having parking off of all the main streets.
This year, for $25 locals or visitors can purchase a VIP package that gives them access to preferred parking on Sixth and Seventh streets along with an anniversary pin, rally DVD and other items. Nearly 100 passes have already been sold.
If the number of bikers that attending in 2005 return, there will be a need for more parking than what can be found in the downtown parking garage and side streets.
Dorothy Harrison, a resident of Monterey Street lives a few blocks from downtown and was not aware that there would be no parking downtown and those bikers may be parking in residential areas.
“I was planning on being gone that weekend and now I’m glad I will be,” Harrison said. “I think it could be a big mess.”
Not all vendors are anxious to return to Hollister either.
Dave Nigel, of Salinas, sold biker paraphernalia at the 2005 and is not returning to Hollister because he’s already booked another event.
“That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t go back,” Nigel said. “I’ve talked to people who are working with the new committee and I’ve been to some of Horse Power’s other shows and they’ve been done well. I’m gonna wait and see how this year’s event goes, then I’ll consider what I’m gonna do in 2008.”
Charisse Tyson, owner of Johnny’s Bar and president of the Motorcycle Rally Commission hasn’t heard of any disgruntled vendors not wanting to come to Hollister. All of the ones she’s talked with have been very excited to return to Hollister.
“We actually have more vendors than we need.”Tyson said, despite the Vendor Village having more than 50 open spaces. “I think things are progressing awesome. Everything is awesome.”
Doulbon is convinced that attendance for this year’s rally will be as big as 2005, but beyond that he isn’t sure what to expect. There has been a limited window in which to prepare for this year’s event, but there are plenty of new features.
Some of the additions to this year’s rally include lots of bike builders and repair people. There will also be shops for tuning and repairing cycles. One of the new additions that Doulbon was excited about is the Hollister Downtown-sponsored biker movies that will be shown continuously throughout the weekend at the Granada Theater.
“Our hope is that people don’t just come for the day and then leave,” Doulbon said. “Our hope is that they stay around and check things out. Get their bikes serviced, check out the local shops, watch a movie, and get a feel for the town.”
There will be a biker stunt show and Doulbon is still working on getting some entertainers to perform as well.
Doulbon is still working with volunteer organizations to see how they can benefit from the rally.
“The volunteer committees have been working very hard,” Doulbon said. “I suggest that persons or organizations that want to benefit from the rally, regardless of the size of the organization, come forward and get involved. There are plenty of places where volunteers are still needed.”
