In what has become a favored annual event, Watonga will be filled this weekend with motorcycles, or as those who love them say, bikes.
Organizer Mike Morris said the event grew out of an organization, Bikers for Education and its desire to offer more scholarships to area students.
“I figured there are 200 or more bikes through here per day on a weekend, so why not invite them in and let them know Watonga is more than that town by Roman Nose,” he said Monday night at the Watonga Community Dinner.
Morris also wanted the event to show that bikers aren’t bad guys, as often portrayed on television and in the movies. Instead, he acknowledged them as your neighbors, doctors, lawyers and family members.
“We always wanted a family- friendly event that you could bring the kids to and not worry,” he said.
Additionally, the event will boost the town’s economy.
Last year, he said, there were between 2500 and 2700 attendees. Naturally, he hopes to improve on that number. There will be eight food trucks and 30 or more street vendors. “We want to show people we are more than a blinking red light,” he quipped.
The event begins at noon on Friday, with an opening ceremony and dyno drags beginning at 12:30. Live entertainment will rock the stage with the HiFi Hillbillies from noon-2 p.m., Jeremiah Rogers from 2:30-3 p.m., the Gus Burns Band from 3:305:30 p.m. and Lane Haas and the Heelers closing the evening from 6-8 p.m.
The rally begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, and coffee and pie will be available at the Senior Citizens’ Center prior to the opening. At 9:30 a.m. registration for the poker run starts at the merchandise tent. The Local Waterin’ Hole in Calumet, VFW Post 382 in El Reno, Lucky Star Casino Concho, Hitchin Post in Kingfisher and an optional stop at Tabers Bar in Watonga.
While the bikes and riders are out on the road during the poker run, there will be plenty of music and fun on Main Street Watonga. From 810 a.m. the Alltown Band will perform, followed at 10:30 a.m.12:30 p.m. by the Cooksey Band. After a short lunch break Dually Noted will perform from 1-3 p.m. and Peach Trees will follow from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Bickford will close out the evening from 6-8 p.m.
The last bike for the poker run will be logged in at 4:30 p.m. while the music goes on. Awards will be presented at 5:30 and the evening will end at 8 p.m.
This year there will be Sunday events as well, beginning at 10 a.m. with registration for the V-twin shootout and duno drags. Bike show registration begins at 10:30 a.m. and races start at noon. Awards and closing ceremonies times are to be announced.
Last year, Morris said, there were three $500 scholarships and two $1,000 scholarships awarded. His hope is that soon Bikers for Education can fully fund a student to attend a votech so that the scholarship winner has only to concern him or herself with their studies, not how they are going to pay for their books and tuition.
For more information, schedules and times, please see pages 8 - 9 in this edition of the Watonga Republican.