There will be no official invitation to Harley Davidson enthusiasts this year, but fans of the roar and rumble of the big bikes are laying the groundwork for 2020.
The Fourth of July in Hollister was previously famous—and notorious—for its annual motorcycle rally, which drew hundreds of motorcycles, tourists and vendors to the city, but in 2018 the council added so many requirements that the promoter pulled out. No promoter has submitted plans for 2019.
This year there will only be an informal rally, according to Mayor Ignacio Velazquez. He said some vendors may participate around town, at places like the Veteran’s Hall. However, Velazquez said there would be no street closure and no rally has been officially approved by the council.
In February, the council heard a report from City Manager Bill Avera about holding the Hollister independence Motorcycle Rally in 2020. Skipping right over a formal rally for this year, Avera said the city staff would move forward on negotiating a contract with event promoter Randy Burke.
Burke had put on the rally in previous years, before the council decided against renewing his contract in 2018. Avera told the council that Burke wanted a minimum commitment of three years, for the rally to be held in Hollister.
”He needs to know the city is committed to it and it’s not going to be a yearly battle,” Velazquez said at the meeting. Velazquez has been a vocal supporter of the rally and believes it brings business and tourism to Hollister’s downtown. He owns the Vault banquet hall on San Benito Street.
“As I’ve said many times, we want tourism; there’s an easy way to bring tourism back,” Velazquez told the Free Lance, adding he hopes that Avera was continuing to negotiate a contract with Burke to bring the rally back to Hollister.
Avera did not respond to the Free Lance’s request for comment. He was clear at the Feb. 12 meeting that the council approving negotiations did not mean a rally was certain for 2020. Avera said a contract would have to come back to the council to be approved.
The last time the rally was held was in 2017, and Burke’s promotion company, Roadshows Inc., first became associated with the rally in 2016.
Burke told the Free Lance he would be in Hollister at the end of the first week of May to discuss a contract and a possible rally in 2020. “I guess the goals and aspirations of the new council is to go back and produce a show that’s been going on, on and off, for 72 years,” said Burke.
Avera told the council on Feb. 12 that beginning the process a year in advance would give the city ample time to come up with a contract that would allow the rally in 2020.
