The promoter of the Hollister Rally for the past two years has departed from the role, and the Hollister Downtown Association is searching for a replacement to potentially put on a 2015 event.
Mark Cresswell and his North Carolina-based Worldwide Dynamics company are no longer running the motorcycle event after being promoter the past two years. Hollister city leaders sanctioned downtown motorcycle rallies in 2013 and 2014 after four years without the city’s signature event.
Ray Pierce, president of the Hollister Downtown Association, said he is meeting with one potential promoter over the weekend.
“It looks favorable,” Pierce said. “And we won’t know until we get the paperwork and we get all of the contracts.”
Pierce said the Hollister council meeting Monday will “probably tell the story.”
“We’re trying to move in a direction, and it just wasn’t a mutual direction for both of us,” Pierce said.
Pierce said the separation, which occurred in the past 10 days, was over the “overall concept of how everything was supposed to operate” and that the two sides had different visions for the event.
There were questions that arose during a Dec. 1 council meeting where business owners and city officials criticized Cresswell’s promotion of the event.
“That might have made a difference for him,” Pierce said.
Cresswell did not immediately return a phone call to his cell phone.
As for a 2015 event over Independence Day weekend, Pierce said there should be clarity next week.
“Everything looks really good,” Pierce said. “I’m like 90 percent sure we got a go, but you never know.”
Mayor Ignacio Velazquez, who has been critical of Cresswell’s management of the rally, offered his take on the transition as well.
“It’s great to see they’re moving forward with somebody more professional and with more experience within the industry,” Velazquez said.
Worldwide Dynamics’ website lists having experience with Leesburg Bikefest, Laconia Bikeweek, Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Bikes Blues & BBQ, Motorcyclenight and the Hollister Rally.
Look back for more.
