Wow! To be honest with you, we expected a big turnout but we never expected anything like this.  When we got to the shop and started setting up we had no idea of the tidal wave of people that would be rolling in during the next few hours.  I talked with people from all over, including San Diego and the bay area and of course our valued local customers.

The feeling in the shop was electric.  It was only 7:00 and already bikes were arriving. That was the first indication that this was going to be good.

At 9:00 the band, “Divided Highway took the stage and the party got started.  How they kick it up so early in the morning is beyond me, but they really did (My theory is they drink a LOT of coffee).  At 3:00, “Delmar Deluxe” took the stage.  We got some great feedback on both bands and between the two; we had great music all day long.

The centerpiece of the event was the bike contests and there were some real beauties among these bikes.  There were 3 classes; Radical Custom, Harley Custom and Vintage with a total of $1800 awarded.  The prizes were awarded based on customer voting.  As time permits I will write in depth about these beauties and their owners.  I would like to tip my hat to HOG Director Bobby Courtney for organizing such a great event.

Next up was the incomparable Anne Kelly and 98.5 the FOX radio remote.  I can’t say enough good things about her and her team.  She really energized the whole event.

Recently, we have had the privilege to customize a POW/MIA bike for Marv and Sue Rohlfing.  So we were really honored for the Rolling Thunder Organization to show up and present us with the POW/MIA display.  So from all of us at Bakersfield Harley-Davidson, thank you!

Next up on the agenda, we had the ribbon cutting ceremony.  Some of the dignitaries that showed up included Mayor Harvey Hall, news anchor and Harley rider Rusty Shoop (imho: the best news anchor around) and executives from the Harley-Davidson Motor Company.  Thank you Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce for helping us with this one.  While we cut the tape, I couldn’t help but think back 3 years or so ago when Scott and I started planning for this day.  This is what its all about…. good times with our good friends.  This new facility will allow us to have more events like this in the future.

Even though we were swamped with literally hundreds and hundreds of bikes, things went relatively smoothly for the most part.  For that we must thank our great employees, HOG volunteers, Black Sheep volunteers and countless other volunteers without who this event would have never taken off.  Thank you! 

For more pictures continue on…

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