While one summer event in Hollister is cruising along in its fifth year, another one is facing a crucial point in its evolution with its sequel over Independence Day weekend.
Organizers of two signature summer events that draw in outside visitors – the Hollister Airshow and Hollister Rally – are continuing preparations for this year’s events. The air show is set for the Saturday and Sunday of Father’s Day weekend, with the city’s biggest draw – the motorcycle rally – scheduled for the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the July 4 weekend.
As for the first event, the air show, organizers are planning to do a special tribute for former Hollister performer Eddie Andreini, the 77-year-old stunt pilot killed earlier this month at an air show in Fairfield. Mike Chambless, the airport director who oversees the show, said Andreini’s son had planned to attend.
That accident, Chambless noted, actually showed how safeguards work for attendees at such events. He mentioned that no spectators have been hurt at an air show in North America, as none of the energy is directed at crowds. Attendees would notice that planes fly north and south at the Hollister Airshow, never east toward the crowd.
“The accident proved that the rules work,” he said. “Eddie was the only one that got hurt.”
As for details related to this year’s event, there will be an array of performers in the show from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.
“We’re really going all out with the war birds this year,” Chambless said.
He also was excited that the event will extend to 5 p.m. Saturday for a new addition this year, a band, “Elvis and the Hound Dogs”.
Rally roundup
There will be a slew of bands, vendors and bikes at the second motorcycle rally, following the event’s return last year. In the music category, the Hollister Rally could attract up to 50 bands for the three-day motorcycle festival along with many of the mainstays from last year, including bikes being parked along downtown’s main drag, San Benito Street.
Although this is the second year for the revived motrocycle rally – the city canceled the tradition after 2008 due to rising costs – manager Mark Cresswell with Worldwide Dynamics believes this is a crucial make-or-break point for the event. It is important to show vendors, sponsors and others that the festival can be successful for two consecutive years, and with the additional, third day.
That third day brings added costs, such as an increased security tab from $140,000 last year to $185,000 this year. One of the major revenue drivers for the rally is beer sales. This year, the event is moving from a Coors distributor to a Budweiser distributor. Organizers also are expanding the two beer gardens to facilitate more use and entertainment.
Along with 50 or so bands playing on stages at Fourth Street, Seventh Street and possibly other locations, the rally will include nearly 150 vendors – about a third more than last year. Some of them will be more higher-end food trucks from the Bay Area, Cresswell said.
It is unclear, meanwhile, whether the rally will hold a bikini show or bike show this year, Cresswell said.
HOMETOWN FAVORITE
Look for preview coverage soon for the San Benito County Saddle Horse Show & Rodeo.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The rally is looking for volunteers. If groups want to volunteer at the Hollister Motorcycle Rally, call (561) 214-1137.
