Hollister officials have estimated that law enforcement would cost $113,400 for a 2013 motorcycle rally – an amount that is less than one-third of the bill for security at the most recent biker event in 2008.
That estimate was included in documents before council members who are scheduled to consider hiring an event manager and sanctioning a 2013 motorcycle rally. They are set to make those decisions at their 6:30 p.m. meeting Monday at Hollister City Hall, 375 Fifth St.
The council will consider the agreement with North Carolina-based Worldwide Dynamics and CEO Mark Cresswell to put on a revival to the city’s twice-canceled motorcycle rally.
Aside from the significantly lower estimated cost for security this time – the law enforcement tab reached about $360,000 for the three-day event in 2008 and was a primary cause of the rally’s cancellation – some of the other proposed changes include
• Reducing the number of days from three to two while eliminating the Sunday activities, another contributing factor to the lower security cost
• Allowing motorcycles to once again park on San Benito Street
• And apparently changing the event name
The name listed in the council proposal is “Hollister Independence Day Festival and Gypsy Tour.” Since its inception as an official event nearly 16 years ago, it has been called the “Hollister Motorcycle Rally” and the “Hollister Independence Day Rally” as well.
The proposal in council members’ agenda packets also includes a map of the downtown event layout – which would be bounded by Fourth Street to North Street, Seventh Street on the south end, Monterey Street on the west end, and Sally Street on the east side.
Look back for more, including reaction.
