On the first day of the Hollister Freedom Rally, it was already apparent to some that the event was off to a good start. Mayor Ignacio Valazquez said by what he was seeing, it appeared the rally was going to be bigger than the previous year’s rally.
By 9 a.m., San Benito Street had hundreds of bikes parked along both sides of the street and down the center. Foot traffic was still light, but the vendors along side streets were doing brisk business.
Jeff Pressman, president of ConvExx, the Las Vegas-based promoter of the 2015 Hollister Freedom Rally, said the primary focus is to make the rally a fun and safe event, as well as a successful venture for the city.
“We want a lot of people to enjoy the City of Hollister, taking part this Fourth of July,” he said. “We have lots of different activities, like the poker walks, concerts at night, the Miss Hollister Freedom competition, the tattoo contest, the Fabulous Thunderbirds tonight, The Guess Who concerts Saturday, and two of the stars from Sons of Anarchy, who will be here Saturday.”
As far as hopes for attendance for the promotional company’s first rally in Hollister, he said he would be happy if 50,000 people show up over the three days.
“We’ve been working closely with the city, both the mayor and the chief of police,” he said. “Everyone has been very cooperative and helpful, whether it be closing the streets to making sure we have the equipment and personnel we need to pull it off. It’s been a great partnership.”
