Oh yeah, it’s back!
Motorcycle Madness is entering its fourth year in the valley, and the core of the event has remained true to its roots. The day of admiring each other’s rides and then hitting the open highway; the essence of bike culture remains.
“It seems like it is getting bigger and better,” said one of the organizers Derek Dekeyser. “We had such a great response last year, and this year we are anticipating quite a few more bikes.”
While the main event is on Saturday, there is no reason to leave your bike at home Friday. Bikers can meet up at Yavis Lounge on Friday at 5:30 p.m. From there they will be heading out to the East Coulee Hotel for a steak fry.
That should be enough to wet ones appetite for all that is going on Saturday.
Breakfast is served at Gus’s Corner Stop, Yavis Restaurant and the Diana in downtown Drumheller. After that, get in all the action of the annual Show and Shine. Registration is at 10 a.m. and this year there is $3,000 in prizes, awarded to the top three in categories including metric, standard and custom.
There will be a bike dyno on site to justify horsepower claims.
After prizes are awarded the bikes are heading out on a parade throughout downtown before they head out on a poker run.
The poker run starts at 2 p.m. and meets up at Boston Pizza, the entry fees are $10 per hand, or three for $25, and are available at the Show and Shine or Boston Pizza.
If you are not on your bikes, then head downtown. Organizers have a full day of family activities planned.
Look for a program that includes face painting, bands all day, tattoo contests, fashion show, petting zoo, and a number of other exciting events, emceed by Jason Blanke, the Voice of the Dragons.
All kinds of street vendors in a market-like atmosphere have been signed up. The Morgan Jayne Project will have a booth set up, and they will be selling t-shirts and bandanas with the motto, “The Ride She Never Took.” Pets, Parrots ‘n Things is looking into lining up animals for a petting zoo.
Five local clothing merchants including Over the Rainbow, Merle Norman, Iamara, Five Blue Heron Emporium, and Sports Room have teamed up for a fashion show at 2 p.m. The Inn and Spa at Heartwood will be bringing out mini golf and kids games. Jurassic Ink will be doing live tattooing throughout the day, and a tattoo contest will be judged at 7 p.m.
The Legion will be the host to a beer garden where food, drinks and live entertainment will be served up. Headlining will be the local act, “Live in Stereo.”
Organizers say the message of the event is getting out. Promotion has been done on their own website and even on Facebook. Lisa Hansen-Zacharuk, one of the organizers, says she has been getting inquires from all over Alberta and B.C. and as far away from the Yukon and even Arizona.
“All in all it is looking to be a great event, one which I feel we need to see more of in our community,” said Lisa Hansen-Zacharuk.
“I feel very proud to be a member of a community that works together for the common good.”
