Despite having a limited time to organize the revived Hollister motorcycle rally, it looks as though plans for the event are running smoothly.
Hollister council members in January approved sanctioning the city’s signature tradition – halted since its cancellation after the 2008 event due to a $200,000-plus loss that year by the city.
On Monday, the hired manager, Mark Cresswell, gave a presentation running down pieces of the plan that are coming together before the rally July 5 and July 6.
Cresswell, of North Carolina-based Worldwide Dynamics, told council members that organizers are “really making good progress.”
Cresswell went over progress of the event’s to-do list, first highlighting how the rally reached its goal Monday of $50,000 in sponsorships. One of those sponsors is Ford Motors, which will be the official car of the rally.
“They’ve got some interest for the future as well,” the manager said, adding that the company wants to see how the first year goes.
As for another “official” – the rally’s official beer – Cresswell said the title will go to Coors Light.
Setting up the beer gardens was among the topics discussed as well. Cresswell said there have been positive meetings, while the local Rotary Club and veterans groups are involved in that process.
As for other entertainment planned for the rally, Cresswell said there are 32 vendors committed – a good number at this point, he said.
Council members are likely relieved, meanwhile, that T-shirt sales are out of the city’s hands this time around, after the six-figure loss in 2008 when the city decided to get involved in merchandise retailing. Cresswell said the 2013 T-shirt deal is in place and ready to go, with shirts arriving in a week or so.
On the music end, Cresswell said organizers will be “pulling the trigger” on bands this week to play on three stages. Most of the bands are local, while others tour regionally, he said.
Other entertainment features of the rally involve contestants, including the bikini contest and a bike show that includes world championship qualifying, Cresswell said. Registration for the bikini contest is open now, the manager said.
“These are the main elements (of the rally),” he said.
A couple other items Cresswell mentioned Monday included the participation of the Central Coast Humane Society, which is providing 50 youths who will get credited for community service, and National Geographic, which is sending a crew to film for a show on custom bikes.
Mayor Ignacio Velazquez commented that it looks like everything is on track for the July event.
“Thank you for a more thorough update,” Velazquez said.
