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.
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.
For riders like Debbie and Randy Liston from Camarillo in Southern California, it’s the history of the Hollister rally and all the bikers that keep drawing them back.
A new name, a return of late-night headliner entertainment and tattoo contests are all in the works after a Las Vegas-based company took control of Hollister’s motorcycle rally this year.
The streets of Hollister were filled with vendor booths selling motorcycle clothing and promoting customization of bikes, but nestled on Sixth Street a few booths were manned by local residents who want to get the word out about their local organizations.