Tag: biker rally

The Hollister Independence Rally—a legendary celebration of motorcycles and the culture they have fostered—is returning to the city’s downtown in full force for the...

The Hollister Independence Rally is set to return to town on Fourth of July weekend, for the first time since 2017. The city council voted...

City Manager Bill Avera reported on the 2016 Hollister Motorcycle Rally at this week's city council meeting and prompted concern from council members about staff costs and vendor fees.

If the City of Hollister and rally promoters want to recoup more costs through fees charged to businesses, then officials should look into a broad examination of all permit charges to merchants over the rally weekend and increase those levies across the board.

Hollister Mayor Ignacio Velazquez has had an on-again, off-again status when it comes to making official decisions on the biker rally. On Monday, he announced he is on again and said he will avoid making money on the event so he can take part in the city's decision making.

When taking into account estimated sales-tax and business-license revenue, City of Hollister records show a net profit for the local government during the past three motorcycle rallies, according to documents obtained by the Free Lance.

A debate is brewing over private property owners leasing out space to sell merchandise during the Hollister biker rally and whether the city can charge special fees to those locals to help make up a continued deficit for outside promoters.

Hollister council members held an off-agenda discussion on the potential for a 2016 Hollister motorcycle rally, and one official made mention of a $100,000 debt still owed by the prior promoter.

The latest Hollister motorcycle rally promoter is not expected to return for the 2016 event, the mayor confirmed Friday.

As the 10 a.m. deadline for entering motorcycles into the Hollister Freedom Rally Custom Bike Show approached, there were 20 or so gleaming machines parked on the grassy area next to The Vault and in front of the Simms Custom Cycles trailer.