Hollister
– There are only seven days left before the Hollister Motorcycle
Rally begins, and Johnny’s Bar and Grill owner Charisse Tyson said
her customers are getting pumped.
Hollister – There are only seven days left before the Hollister Motorcycle Rally begins, and Johnny’s Bar and Grill owner Charisse Tyson said her customers are getting pumped.
“We’ve got the buzz going already,” said Tyson, who chairs the rally organizing committee.
Rally signs and banners have transformed downtown Hollister in recent weeks. Former City Councilman Robert Scattini, who helped get the rally committee off the ground, said the rapidly approaching event will be the payoff for a year of hard work.
“I pledged to the City Council (in 2006) that next year was going to be altogether different,” he said.
The rally, expected to draw tens of thousands of bikers to Hollister from July 6-8, has been a controversial topic for locals, as some residents have said the rally brings a lawless and frightening atmosphere to town.
But even those who plan to avoid the rally probably will be affected. Police Chief Jeff Miller said many of the city’s streets, particularly the intersection of Fourth and San Benito streets, will become congested. Miller urged Hollister residents to be careful and patient as they maneuver through the increased traffic.
“Give yourself a little extra time,” he said.
Miller declined to offer any details about law enforcement preparations, saying he doesn’t want criminals to know about his plans.
“We’re still looking at all the operations to make sure everything goes smoothly,” he said.
The City Council voted to cancel the 2006 rally, but thousands of bikers rode into town anyway, leaving the city to foot the public safety bill. The council approved the coming rally only after promoter Horse Power Promotions agreed to pay the city $362,000 beforehand to cover law enforcement costs.
Councilwoman Pauline Valdivia, who voted against the rally in December, said she’s taking a cautiously optimistic stance. She noted that the promoter paid the city the amount promised, and she praised the new rally layout.
By moving motorcycles off San Benito Street, Horse Power will create a safer, less crowded environment, Valdivia said.
“There are going to be people, but they’re not going to be shoulder-to-shoulder,” she said.
Miller said San Benito Street, to be filled with vendors, will be closed between Fourth and South streets. According to the rally map, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh streets also will be filled with booths or parked motorcycles.
Scattini plans to spend most of the rally weekend working with organizers, so he may not get a chance to ride either of his two motorcycles. But he’s still thrilled the big event is just around the corner and he was quick to credit everyone in the committee.
“I pushed it over the hill and got it started, but there were a lot of people (involved),” he said.
