2009 Hollister Motorcycle Rally Cancelled
According to the press release from the city of Holliser, the 2009 motorcycle rally, which is held the second weekend of July, is cancelled. This has happened in the past, like 2006, but the bikers showed up anyway. Here is the city’s official press release;
HOLLISTER, CALIFORNIA – February 3, 2009 – The Hollister City Council voted to cancel the 2009 Hollister Motorcycle Rally, citing concerns over the potential cost to the City’s already struggling general fund.
The decision to cancel the rally came after months of careful consideration. Since 1997, the Hollister Motorcycle Rally has been an annual event. Spiraling expenses caused a review of the feasibility of continuing the rally. Starting in 2004, the City had to begin paying increased costs for assistance from state law enforcement agencies. Due to the downturn in the state budget, these agencies could no longer provide services without reimbursement. In addition, adjustments were made to ensure that contracts with officers from outside agencies conformed to state law. Of course, as attendance at the rally increased over the years, additional law enforcement personnel were necessary to ensure the safety of rally attendees and the residents of Hollister.
In addition to law enforcement expenses, the City incurs costs associated with preparing for the event, as well as public works and equipment expenses. Finally, there are other public safety expenses, such as supplemental firefighter/paramedic staffing.
These expenses exceeded reimbursement by over $100,000. This left the City with a general fund expense at a time the City is facing severe cutbacks and spending down its general fund reserve. Facing the possibility of even greater expenses and further reduction of its general fund, the City Council voted to cancel the 2009 Hollister Motorcycle Rally.
More information will be available in the coming weeks on the City’s website, www.hollister.ca.gov.
Approved by: Clint Quilter, City Manager
Please visit www.hollistermotorcyclerally.com for more information.
-End of the official release-
I think it’s funny, they cancel a biker rally, that is attended by over 100,000 bikers, and figure no one will show up, like in 2006. It should be interesting to see how this unfolds.
Ride Safe
sounds like Myrtle Beach all over again…hmmm. Maybe we need to be thinking about Angel City in Georgia.
-Peace
Comment by allen — February 8, 2009 @ 10:50 am
I think it’s called “covering one’s ass”. They no longer want to employ hundreds of outsiders to cover the event in the safty sector. So they put out declarations like this, absolving them of any upcoming lawsuits if something should happen while the “UN-EVENT” was (is) happening.
At least they didn’t go as far as to institute a helmet law within their city limit, ( if there already wasn’t one there,) or noise regulations…or just out and tell you that you AREN’T WELCOME as one other city has done. (I have defended their right to do so…and will. It’s just a bit silly to believe just because a city has said they don’t want you there, that an event as large as that is just gonna go away…it will happen if they like it or not…just look for more bikers outside the city enjoying the hospitality of the towns all around the once great host city.
No skin off the bikers noses…
Chessie
Comment by Chessie — February 9, 2009 @ 2:15 am
Allen and Chessie, thanks for the comments, I’m still trying to fig how Hollister lost $100,000 last year, ya know someone had to be laughing all the way to the bank.
Comment by JG Mashino — February 9, 2009 @ 5:07 am
Listen folks, I have lived and worked in Gilroy, CA for years. We are just down the road from Hollister. I have attended every rally and there is no way there has ever been 100,000 people there for the rally. We have the Garlic Festival and that brings upwards of 100,000 to 150,000 during the event. This as always been an exaggeration by the rally promoters to build up the event. I would think about 30,000 people attended the past rally, tops.
I ride also and I don’t need a city to subsidize my party. A true motorcyclist is in it for the ride not the destination. If I want to see some scantily clad women, I’ll go to a strip bar. I don’t have the need to buy some cheesy T-shirt or eat carnival food. Every year I would go to see if this thing would get any better. It didn’t. And for those of you who are upset over the demise of the Rally you can blame your Hells Angels or Mongol buddies. If it wasn’t for their territorial childish gang war the rally would still be in full swing.
You can disagree with me all you want but just like the idiot bikers (street racers, loud exhausts) out there causing a bad name for all of us, we have no one to blame but ourselves. Even if you are not the weekend dentist/lawyer/accountant rebel out there with you biker costume trying to be a tough guy you are probably someone who tolerated the behavior from fellow bikers and now everyone whines because a city won’t waste money on us and the people want their city back.
For those of you anxious to “Go there anyway” and “Show them they can’t cancel the event”, I’m sure the DOJ and the CHP will be happy to see you. I hope your custom bike has the required lights and a quiet exhaust.
I for one will be at the rally in Tulelake, CA. Like I said, it’s about the ride and you can’t get more beautiful than that part of CA. I’ll ride in, have a couple and probably stay in another place nearby where it will be quiet.
Ride safe and keep the shiny side up.
Paul
Comment by Paul — February 28, 2009 @ 12:49 pm
I THINK ITS STUPID! THE RALLYS BEEN GOING A LOT OF YRS WHY DONT THEY DO WHAT NV LAUGHLIN RIVER RUN DID, THEY ALLOW CERTAIN PATCHES THERE THAT ARENT GANG RELATED I THINK ITS PRESSURE FROM THE COPS . THEY WANT TO MAKE ALOT OF MONEY SO THE COPS RAISE THE PRICE OF BABY SITTING SO THE TOWN FOLKES FELT THEY WONT MAKE MONEY. SO THEY SAY NO RALLY! BUT THE BIKERS COME ANYWAY AND THE COPS STILL HAVE TO WORK WITH OUT SOME EXTRA CASH IN HAND .SOONER OR LATER THIS TOWN WILL WAKE UP TO THE FACT THAT THEY NEED THE BIKERS MONEY WITH THIS ECONEMY BUT OF COURSE THEY ARE ALL RICH IN THAT TOWN I GUESS .THE PRICE OF FREEDOM IS HIGH JOE
Comment by joe az — April 7, 2009 @ 7:34 am
NO NO NO!!!!!! YOU CAN’T LET “SOME CLUBS FLY THERE COLORS” AND NOT LET ALL CLUBS DO IT….. LETS FACE IT PEOPLE THE BEST AND MOST FUN RUNS WERE STARTED BY THE 1% ERS AND THEY STILL ATTEND BECAUSE ITS THE HISTORY OF IT FOR THEM DO TO DO IT….. ESPECIALLY HOLLISTER BECAUSE IT IS FAMOUS BECAUSE OF THE 1% CLUBS HOOTING AND HOLLERING HAVING FUN IN THE TOWN DRINKING& RUMBLING HELL THEY EVEN MADE A MOVIE BOUT IT (THE WILD ONE) EVERTHING THAT IS NOW A FASHION TREND– DUBBED THE OLD SCHOOL– WAS ORIGINATED BY THE TOP 1%ER CLUB AROUND === YOU KNOW WHO i MEAN== SO LETS DO IT RIGHT AND FORGET HAVING ALLTHOSE DUMB VENDORS THERE AND HAVE A REAL RUN IN HOLLISTER I’LL BE THERE LIKE EVERY YEAR AND I HOPE TO SEE YOPU ALL THERE TOO…………..81 SUPPORTER FOR LIFE———
Comment by vanilla gorilla — May 9, 2009 @ 9:33 pm
The city lost $100,000 in 2008 because the management forgot about their fiduciary responsibility to the taxpayers and became blinded by visions of grandeur. They decided that the city government would become a “for profit” venture and act as the “Official Merchandiser” for the rally. Unfortunately they were only able to sell 10,000 of the 40,000 t-shirts they ordered. Additionally, the Chief of Police feels it is necessary to bring in 140 extra law enforcement personnel at a total cost of $360,000. (includes helicopter, city wide surveillance system, and meals and lodging.) Ironically, Daytona has a similar event called Biketoberfest that entertains about the same number of visitors each year and their security costs are only $40,000.
As for 2009, I anticipate that since there is no official rally the CHP will once again lay siege to the city and ticket everyone going in or out like they did in 2006. That was the year that they were asked to “make these people feel as unwelcome as possible” and handed out 1500 tickets in 3 days.
Comment by Chris — June 2, 2009 @ 10:00 am
We would love to have “everyone” join us at the Shasta Salute to America Motorcycle Rally 7/3 – 6/2009. It’s hard to beat the great riding in Northern CA and Southern OR. This is a great rally and the opportunity to tell our troops thank you for giving us the freedom to ride.
Comment by Wings2Fly — June 4, 2009 @ 5:09 pm
Despite the political b.s., the bottom line seems to be that the biker spirit is still alive & strong for the 4th of July weekend in Hollister. There is simply too much tradition and too much history to allow the celebration of the ‘birthplace of the American biker’ to diminish.
This kind of spirit is seen in the “you ain’t taking me down” kind of attitude adopted by the world-famous Johhny’s Bar & Grill in downtown Hollister; they have always been the hub of activity, since 1947 when the legends began, and still keep things stirred up today.
They just put up an ad on their site about their weekend-long party, July 3 to July 5! Sounds like old-school tradition to me. And the Gypsy Tour Motorcycle Classic at Bolado Park , just south of Hollister, is ramping up, too.
Comment by Jimmy — June 6, 2009 @ 6:03 am
I think Gilroy otta take the rally over. They are set up for large events and have the space. Let Gilroy make the money instead of Hollister. aLet the speciality vendors sell their merchandise, and company loged shirts, and leather, but make all the Rally shirts only made and sold through the city. That’s where all the money is made. Have an entrance fee. Let the bikes parade in a designated area. This could be a great possible revenue for Gilroy. It could still be the Hollister Bike Rally held at christmas park. The Garlic festival is a couple weeks later but Gilroy can run that event with there eyes closed! And think about it people might just take a couple weeks vacation and stay at the hotels and eat in the restaurants. This is a big money maker. This event has hardly had any violence for the number of attendees. Alot of these Bikers are big teddybears with alot of money! The Visitors Bureau could set up daily tours out of Gilroy, golfing, wine tasting, Pinnicles. Some events in Monterey and San jose. Gilroy step up you could handle this event, you are pros when it comes to running events and when it’s all fenched off at the park crowds can be watched closer. The revenue would help Monterey, San Jose, Salinas. We need to work together as a group of cities to bring more tourism to the area! If I had the cash I would sponser it myself!
An opinion from someone in the Hospitality Industry.
Comment by Donna Terry — June 21, 2009 @ 9:10 pm
The Shasta Salute to America Motorcycle Rally held in Tulelake, CA Fri, July 3rd – Mon, July 6th has everything. Take a momenth to visit the website (www.shastarally.com) & see for yourself. Check out the recent comments on Cycle Source re “Almost Here.” Time to go somewhere where you don’t get hasseled, the region welcomes you & the theme of the event honors America’s troops who give us the freedom to ride. Most important, it’s really beautiful up here – it’s all about the ride folks. If you’re a vendor trying to decide where to hang, our prices are less than 1/2 of what the Bolado Park group charges….
Comment by Jeff Kraus — June 23, 2009 @ 8:49 am
Just go ride anyway. It used to be cool when it was fresh but that’s not the only place to ride on the 4th. It’s turned into a biker shopping mall anyway with all the booths in San Benito street instead of BIKES! I say R.I.P. Stick a fork in it . . . It’s done. See you in the wind.
BAD dog (Grrrr . . . )
Comment by BAD dog — July 3, 2009 @ 11:14 pm
I agree with BAD dog…The last few years I went to that rally it seemed like there were far more people showing off their once-a-month biker costume than there were real bikers. IIMO was a city sanctioned costume ball with a bunch of opportunistic vendors set up to reap whatever profit they could, not a rally. You couldn’t even ride on the main street, it was packed full of booths all selling the same crap. I left last years event with no desire to come back this year. And it’s not like it’s a long ride, I live in Gilroy.
The “rally” itself is all hype anyway…It was restarted as a nostalgic marketing grab at an event that had been idle for 5 decades..Gimme a break.
JMO,
Mikey
Comment by Mikey — July 4, 2009 @ 5:14 pm
city are fuckers, this is a political issue. those mother fuckers are saying that they do not have money to cover law enforcement. this is fucking booshit; they make alot money .
Comment by lp — July 5, 2009 @ 11:59 pm
http://www.bikerhotline.com/eventcoverage/2009/09shastajack/
Comment by Jeff Kraus — July 9, 2009 @ 5:19 am
Paul from Gilroy hit the nail right on the head. As far as the !% starting this whole thing…….guess you bought the “Wild Ones” story line too, eh. No disrespect to the 1%’ers….butt give me a break. Lots of hype. My dad and his brother rode to Hollister in the late 40′s early 50′s to race their bikes….not to pose for pictures .. Not everyone was raping and piillaging the town or acting a fool. My dad was going to Korea soon and wanted to have some fun. Hes not a drinker but an adrenline junkie from the word “go”. Yeah there were some hell raisers no doubt, totally glamourized by movies,papers and probably “posers” from way back. Lots of guys were just getting back or going “to” the service….seems all were lOoking to blow off some steam. As for the towns people….”How can you cancel something that has been happening in your town since 1947 NOT 1997..geez..talk bout a typo. Why don’t you just cancel Christmas..afterall….dont those christmas decorations for the town get expensive????” Bah Humbug to ya’ll. Seems for the last few years the town hasn’t really been “into” it…..its kinda suxed to be frank. Maybe instead of cancelling it…perhaps “re-tooling it” . Thats all I have to say bout that…………..:o)
Comment by MIss SusieQue1 — August 4, 2009 @ 3:14 pm
The Hollister Rally was a lot of fun until 2005. And I mean for everyone, no matter your motorcycle make, club (if any), or appearance. Then something changed. In 2005 the badged thugs started writing tickets for everything (to satisfy the whiners). And it was the typical, downhill, California, over-regulation thereon out. When Horsepower took it over in 2007 and -08, is was basically a T-shirt sale. No bikini contest, lame bands, just one big flea market with a bunch of pigs in a helicopter flying overhead. In 2009 they had a small gig out at Bolado; the seed for a possible re-start.
If it’s fun, and free, it will succeed. The comments above about “real bikers” and “posers” are pathetic, condescending, and ignorant. Make it fun, complete with nightly wet T-shirt contests. Maybe putting it at Bolado and having an 18+ age requirement will keep the pigs and whiners away.
Comment by Al Jihad bin Mojaahedeen — April 22, 2010 @ 2:16 pm
Mr. Mojaahedeen:
My statement was for anybody reading, not aimed at anyone in particular….must yoU be so personal???? Pathetic, condescending and ignorant to bOot? Dang it man, lighten up. Your statement is not true…it was fun, basically free…and it did not suceed, much to my dismay. Why would you shut out youngsters from rallys? Anywho, I already stated the whys and whats. The “Rally” has been “fun” for many, many years, not just 2005 and there are gigs all over the state that have been going on for years & years…Hollister did what they did cuz they figured they could, and did……perhaps they didn’t want another shOot out in the OK corral….either way I still stick to my poser comment……I smell a RUB……….SQ1
Comment by Miss SusieQue1 — June 2, 2010 @ 4:52 pm