The motorcycle calendar is in full swing as the Northeastern states open their doors with events and rallies. Even as Americade continues its run in Lake George New York, one of the oldest and most revered events kicks off in New Hampshire on Saturday.
Laconia Bike Week will celebrate its 88th year when it starts on Saturday June 11th as it hosts events on the track as well as out on the open road. While the weekend will host live music, bike shows and rides around the famous lakes, the week has a competitive start with classic Triumphs, Ducatis, Nortons, BSAs and other retro racers will overrun New Hampshire Motor Speedway from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for U.S. Vintage Motorcycle Grand Prix Racing.
Giving a nod to the event’s racing roots, New Hampshire Motor Speedway will run the 88th Loudon Classic for the longest-running motorcycle race in North America.
Even as bikers and organizers continue the traditions that has kept the crowds returning to New Hampshire every year, the face of pseudo-reality television will set up shop with the TruTV’s ‘Full Throttle Saloon’ series. Michael Ballard and other members of the Full Throttle Saloon appear at the rally as they film all week long at the Heat Restaurant across from the Fun Spot.
On Monday, June 13, from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., it’s motorcycles only on the Mount Washington Auto Road in Pinkham Notch, and in the late afternoon the first cruise offered to bikers on the MS Mount Washington on Lake Winnipesaukee is planned.
According to reports, organizers expect a ‘solid’ crowd with hotels and other lodging facilities noting they have been fully booked for months.
Among the entertainment, rides and vendors will be an array of fundraising efforts appealing to big-hearted bikers. One such effort kicked off on Thursday with New Hampshire Governor John Lynch who has joined with Lakes Region Harley riders in an effort to raise $40,000 to help feed New Hampshire’s veterans.
Laconia Harley-Davidson launched this year’s “HOGS Against Hunger” campaign with a donation of a 2011 Harley-Davidson Street-Glide motorcycle to the New Hampshire Food Bank. During Laconia Bike Week and throughout the summer, 4,000 tickets will be sold for $10 each and 100% of the proceeds will benefit the Food Bank’s efforts to serve New Hampshire Veterans.
“Roughly 30% of all Harley-Davidson riders are veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces,” said Anne Deli, owner of Laconia Harley-Davidson. “Our veterans sacrifice so much for our country and unfortunately face such serious obstacles when they return. Hunger should never be one of those issues.”
The New Hampshire Food Bank provides food to over 26,000 different men, women and children throughout New Hampshire each week. Nearly 1 in 5 people the Food Bank serves are veterans.
The money raised will go a long way to support New Hampshire veterans, area agencies and the New Hampshire Food Bank. Funds raised could potentially purchase two trailer loads of assorted grocery items, approximately 75,000 -80,000 pounds of food which could provide 60,000 -65,000 meals.
“The New Hampshire Food Bank is extremely grateful to Laconia Harley-Davidson for supporting our efforts once again with the HOGS Against Hunger campaign,” said Melanie Gosselin, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Food Bank. “This is an incredible donation that will raise funds to support the thousands of veterans in our state that rely on our services. Thank you to Laconia Harley-Davidson for being an invaluable community partner, whose generosity is appreciated by everyone here at the Food Bank, the 412 agencies we serve and especially the veterans that are struggling to find their next meal.”
Tickets will be on sale at the New Hampshire Food Bank in Manchester, Laconia Harley-Davidson in Meredith, Laconia Harley-Davidson store at Tanger Outlets in Tilton, and White Mountain Harley-Davidson in North Conway throughout the bike week.
But even bikers not fortunate enough to attend Laconia Bike Week can pitch in by going to the fundraising efforts website.
Laconia Harley will also hold a “HOGS Against Hunger” ride and event on Saturday, July 30th to raise addition funds. The winner of the Street-Glide® will also be announced and a check will be presented to the NH Food Bank at this event.
Last year Laconia Harley raised $30,000 to support the Food Bank’s Backpack Program that benefits children statewide, and in 2009 they raised over $26,000 for the Loon Preservation Society.
“I believe we must do what we can to support the mission of the New Hampshire Food Bank, which helps to ensure thousands of New Hampshire citizens receive a nutritious meal,” Gov. Lynch said. “This generous donation will directly benefit the Food Bank’s programs designed to feed our veterans. Just as our veterans were there for us, we need to be there for them, and this is another way we are doing that.”
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