More than 100,000 motorcyclists are expected to get their motors
running and head out on the highway to San Benito County for the
seventh annual Hollister Independence Rally July 4-6.
More than 100,000 motorcyclists are expected to get their motors running and head out on the highway to San Benito County for the seventh annual Hollister Independence Rally July 4-6.
“We’re being conservative because of the economy, but we could also see more (than in the past) because Friday is a holiday,” said Bob Beals, interim executive director of the Hollister Independence Rally Committee (HIRC).
Attractions that have been popular in the past as well as new ones are on tap for the three-day event, including a more “well-rounded” entertainment venue.
Because HIRC is expecting two big days – Friday, because of Fourth of July, and Saturday – when there are two popular music headliners. Friday’s main performance will be Pat Travers with the Greg Kihn Band taking the stage Saturday. Both classic rock perormances start at 8 p.m.
“Our entertainment list this year is much better. There’s more variety,” Beals said. “The entertainment is really well rounded this year.”
Other performers include Clayton Lewis and the Soulbenders, country; Reflex, classic rock; AC/DShe, an all-woman AC/DC tribute band; J.J. Hawg, blues and classic rock; Parking Lot Prophets, pop/rock; and Heartbreaker, a Led Zeppelin tribute band.
Various Hollister Independence Rally staples will return, including the tattoo contest, beer garden, custom car show, Miss Hollister Rally Pageant, burn-out contest, and an arm-wrestling contest. A popular attraction for rally-goers has been the Motordome Wall of Death Stunt Show. The show will be back at East and Fifth streets, offering hourly shows from 10 a.m. To 10 p.m. all three days.
New this year, but along the same lines, will be the Extreme Trials Riding Show. The stunt-riding performance features a rider attacking a series of impossible obstacles. Obstacles can include large cable spools, an open box mounted on the back of a trailer, assorted man-made obstacles and a platform suspended on the neck of a trailer.
Whatever the venue, people can take part in the downtown activities or at expanded sites by Dorothy McNett’s Place and Greenwood Chevrolet Oldsmobile.
“We’re trying to build other things for people to do,” Beals said. “We like downtown, but want to offer a variety.”
There will be 140 vendors for rally-goers to browse through. The expanded sites allow for more vendor space. Space is limited to around 140 vendors, Beals said. Booths will sell art, jewelry, eye wear and motorcycle apparel beginning today.
Vendors will be open 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
This year, HIRC will be able to use the renovated Veterans Memorial Building. The building will serve as the rally welcome center with various displays and non-profit booths, Beals said.
Use of the building allows people to go inside and cool off, he said.
The goal of the rally is to help the city prosper, Beals said.
“Our whole deal is to run a nice event and make money for the community,” he said.
The rally is the largest non-profit rally on the West Coast.
