Three poker rides for charity, a free locals appreciation day, four motorcycle giveaways, live music and midget wrestling are among the events on tap for the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally on Labor Day weekend.
Events start on Thursday, Sept. 3, with a locals appreciation day and free entry into the rally at Sky Ute Fairgrounds on Highway 151 in Ignacio, and a barbecue that night for volunteers and locals sponsored by Kroeger's Ace Hardware.
The bike rally brings lots of visitors and cash into the area for some local businesses.
"I have employees fighting for shifts that weekend," said Ashleigh Tarkington, owner of the Billy Goat, noting that the rally has always been the bar's biggest weekend.
"My T-shirt sales go up as well," she noted. "I think we should accommodate and welcome bikers with open arms."
Bikers also spend a lot of money when they come to the area, noted Johnny Valdez, owner of the bike rally, at last week's meeting of the Bayfield Chamber of Commerce.
Bikers stay in hotels, RV parks and campgrounds, and they eat out and drink beer while they stay here, he noted.
Vallecito lodges are sold out during Labor Day weekend, as well.
Valdez said the recipients of this year's poker rides appreciate the donations to their groups.
Poker rides on Friday and Saturday start at Sky Ute Casino at 9 a.m. and end at the fairgrounds. The entry fee is $20 per rider, or $25 for a couple. During a poker run, riders visit each stop listed on the run to get a playing card, and the best poker hand at the conclusion of the ride wins $100 cash or other prizes.
Friday's ride honors military veterans, with the run's proceeds being donated to Operation Second Chance. Stops are in Bloomfield and Farmington.
Saturday's poker run to Silverton is sponsored by the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, with proceeds benefitting the Powerhouse Science Center in Durango.
Sunday is the mayors' ride, benefitting the Pink Ribbon Coalition. It starts that morning at the Durango Transit Center with stops at the Billy Goat Saloon in Gem Village, Hideaway Grill in Vallecito, and Sky Ute Casino, and ends at the rally grounds at 4 p.m.
Kids events during the weekend include mutton busting and a Cool Biker Baby contest sponsored by the Patio. Adult-themed events are held in the evening in the grounds, after all patrons under the age of 18 have been asked to leave.
Music at the rally grounds includes Rockin' Dopsie Jr. and the Zydeco Twisters from New Orleans on Sunday night; the Ben Marshal Band from Denver; Creedence and Company, a CCR tribute band; and AOR from Albuquerque. Local bands performing including Third Time Charmed, Ralph Dinosaur and the Fabulous Volcanoes, Skull Theory and East 64, the winner of this spring's battle of the bands contest to play at the rally.
Sky Ute Casino will have a concert Saturday with Shooter Jennings and Waymore's Outlaws, opening for the Kentucky rock band Black Stone Cherry.
The rally is giving away a 2015 Harley Davidson on Sunday night, where the winner must be present to win, and a 2015 Indian Scout on Saturday, which does not require the winner to be present. Tickets are available at the rally visitor center on Goddard Avenue in Ignacio and also will be sold during the rally.
Sky Ute Casino Resort will have two Harley Davidson bike giveaways on Friday and Sunday nights, and winners must be present to win.
More bike events are returning to Durango, as well, with the bike and classic car parade at 11 a.m. Sunday in downtown Durango and a welcome party Friday at the El Rancho and barbecue Saturday at the Elks Club. More Durango businesses have started supporting the rally after realizing how much money bikers spend in the area on Labor Day weekend, Valdez said.
Entry at the rally is $15 per day or $40 for the weekend. Passes, bike giveaway tickets, schedules and other information are online at www.fourcornersmotorcyclerally.com.
