Boone Bike Rally Fall Event, Sept 13-15, Local Christian Bikers Help Make for a Successful Event

Hundreds of bikers and enthusiasts will return to the High Country for the Fall Boone Bike Rally next week.

By Sherrie Norris

The roar will be real at the High Country Fairgrounds in Boone when hundreds of bikers come to town next week for the annual Fall Boone Bike Rally.

Beginning Thursday, Sept 13, gates will open at noon for campers and vendors with one of the featured bands, Southern Thunder, taking the stage for a two-hour concert at 8 p.m.

Things get rocking in a big way on Friday, Sept 14 when gates open at 9 a.m. along with vendors ready for business and swap meets begin.

Evening activities include the following band performances:
5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. – Bongo Bach Soul Ensemble
7:30 p.m. – 9 pm – JJL Band
9:30 p.m. – 11 p.m. – Problem Child

Again, on Saturday, the gates, vendor booths and swap meets open at 9 a.m.

The ever-popular “Ride In Bike Show” takes place at 11:30 a.m. with winner of the People’s Choice claiming the $1,000 coveted prize; Bike Games follow at 1:30 p.m. with a $1,000 first-place prize, sponsored by Tom McGrath’s Law Group,

The evening continues to heat up with the following line-up of scheduled events and bands:
4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. – Bad Romeo
6:15 p.m. – Burnout Pit Competition
6:30 p.m. – Wet T Shirt Contest (first place takes $250)
6:45 p.m. – 50/50 Winner announced
7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. – Bending Fate
9:30pm – 11 p.m. – Throwdown Jones

According to event promoter, Kenny Johnson, this event draws about 2,000 bikers and enthusiasts to the area twice a year for the spring and fall rallies. “They come in from Florida, Missouri and all points in between and really add to the local economy through lodging, dining and shopping.”

Among the staff and volunteers who work hard to make this a success for the biking community, Johnson said, is the local Peacemakers chapter of the Christian Motorcycle Association.

“They really come alongside us to help with parking and a lot of other things we need,” Johnson said. They are a great group of people who we love to be around and we just want to send out a big thank you for all they do for us and the bikers who come to town for this event.”

The long-term partnership is appreciated by the Peacemakers, too, according to president, Keith Honeycutt.

“Normally, we help park cars and bikes and have helped set up and run the bike games that are held at the rally,” Honeycutt said. “Our CMA tent is set up for first aid needs, such as minor cuts and bruises, sunburn, scrapes, minor burns from motorcycles, etc. We also do Bike Blessings, hand out Bibles and pray with folks who need prayer for personal or special needs. We also count the votes during the bike shows and have been very blessed to receive a portion of the 50/50 tickets through the years.”

That money, in turn, Honeycutt said, is shared with other organizations that help purchase toys during the Christmas season for under privileged children in the High Country, and used for missions in North America and internationally through CMA’s program called Run For The Son, which began in 1975.

Some of the folks at the Boone Bike Rally who have won the 50/50 drawing have also donated all of the winnings back to CMA, Honeycutt said, “which is a real blessing and shows the real heart of bikers.”

He added, “Most bikers that I know have really big hearts and are willing to give when a real need is presented. That, alone. makes our ministry very special. You can look past the loud motorcycles, the leather and the tattoos and see people who are ready and willing to help most of the time.”

In summary, Honeycutt said, Johnson and the rally have been very good to the local CMA Chapter over the last seven or eight years. “I guess you could say that he, Kenny Johnson, has helped us help him. It is a great relationship — and to think that the Boone Bike Rally actually supports local and international missions is an awesome thing. Who knows, the money given through the rally could have helped purchase a motorcycle for a pastor somewhere around the world who had no transportation.”

Despite the fact that the fall Boone rally actually conflicts this time around with the CMA’s state rally, the CMA will still be represented in Boone, Honeycutt stated.

Tickets prices for the upcoming rally include: Friday day pass $15, Saturday day pass $25 and weekend pass $30. Tent camping is available for $35 per site. A few RV hookups are available (30 or 50 amp) hookup for an RV, but going fast on a first-come, first-serve basis, per online reservation.

No refunds will be available.

What is not allowed inside the gates?