In roughly 48 hours, more than 100,000 bikers will fill the
streets of downtown for the Independence Rally, but before that
happens, local businesses and the rally committee are working hard
to make sure they’re ready for the onslaught.
In roughly 48 hours, more than 100,000 bikers will fill the streets of downtown for the Independence Rally, but before that happens, local businesses and the rally committee are working hard to make sure they’re ready for the onslaught.
Passersby on San Benito Street can see souvenir tents popping up on corner lots. But Bill Rodgers, president of the Hollister Independence Rally Committee (HIRC), said official rally vendors will be kept away from downtown until Thursday evening, to avoid an inconvenience to downtown businesses.
“The vendors already down there are on private property, but we’re having our vendors check in at a location by the airport this year so they’re not parking down there early,” he said.
Thursday evening at 6 p.m. side streets including, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth streets will be shut down and around 1 a.m. Friday, morning San Benito Street will be closed as well. Residents who live in the area are encouraged to use the detours on Sally and Monterey streets until the streets are re-opened on Sunday, July 4 at 9 p.m., Rodgers said.
Along with HIRC, local businesses are having to stock up on supplies for the added guests they’ll serve over the holiday weekend.
Carol Millar, part owner of San Andreas Brewery said she purchased a month’s supply of beer for just this weekend.
“This is a good weekend for business, but a lot of hard work too,” she said. “I’ll be happy when it’s all over.”
Meanwhile over at Hard Times Cafe, owner Terry Woodard said he’ll have extra staff to serve the extra food he ordered.
“It’s a huge event and it requires a lot of extra work,” he said.
Local hotels also are preparing for the bikes to roll in. Best Western San Benito Inn has rented out all of its 42 rooms, and the Comfort Inn, located in Gilroy, is filled to capacity for its fourth year in a row.
As the town becomes more crowded in the next few days, Hollister Police Chief Jeff Miller has been meeting with HIRC to make ensure preparations for extra traffic and security are in place.
“We want to welcome people to Hollister, we hope they have a good time and follow the rules,” Miller said.
Security will be provided by a members of all San Benito County law enforcement agencies, including the San Benito County Sheriff’s Department, Hollister Police Department and the California Highway Patrol. Watsonville Police Department also will send 22 officers to manage the crowds.
After they’ve managed to get through the traffic, bikers can purchase parking passes for $5, which will allow them to park their motorcycles on San Benito Street. The money raised from the parking passes will go toward rally costs and law enforcement overtime.
In addition to the entertainment and events, the moving Vietnam Memorial Wall will be in Hollister for the weekend, and organizers are in need of volunteers. The wall, which hasn’t been back to San Benito county in 15 years, will stay open 24-hours a day throughout the weekend, and Organizer Linda Stamatopoulos would like community members to volunteer their time to help visitors find names on the walls and teach people how to sketch them. Those interested in volunteering can call her at 408-603-8887.
For more information about the rally, call the HIRC office at 634-0777, and for a complete list of vendors and events, log onto www.hollisterrally.com.
