Las Vegas BikeFest® 2017 Rally Recap

LAS VEGAS: More than 30,000 bikers and motorcycle enthusiasts from nearly all 50 states and 12 other countries cruised into town for the 17th Annual Las Vegas BikeFest, October 5-8. The rally was four action-packed days filled with entertainment, contests, bike shows, MMA fights, Uncle Kracker performing live, and demo rides from Indian Motorcycles. With the addition of Rally West, located on 3rd and Fremont Street, attendees had even more options for shopping for the latest in motorcycle parts and accessories, apparel, and more.

“Our goal every year is to continue to keep the rally growing and the activities and entertainment “fresh”. With the new locations we chose for our poker runs, bringing the Tuff-N-Uff Amateur MMA fight, expanding our vendor area to Rally West, giving away $5,000 in shopping sprees and more bike shows, we feel we accomplished that”, states Mindi Cherry, Event Manager.

Music filled the rally all four days with over 30 live bands playing- everything from hard rock, blues, punk, country and more. Friday night “America’s Most Patriotic Rock Band”, Madison Rising, headlined and Saturday the party continued right on the Fremont Street Experience with headliner “Uncle Kracker”.Las Vegas BikeFest gave away over $100,000 in prizes and cash, including $5,000 in Shopping Sprees that was spent with vendors at Rally Central and Rally West. The always popular Miss Las Vegas BikeFest did not disappoint along with other crowd favorites Best Facial Hair Contest, Bikini Contest and Biker Bingo. Poker Walks and Poker Runs were again a big hit and mulligan sales from the Poker Runs and Walks raised $3,100 to benefit the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation.

The 14th Annual Artistry in Iron, Master Builders Championship, peer-judged, invitation-only custom bike building competition sponsored by Steve Soffa and Paughco was another huge success. Builders from all corners of the U.S. as well as Japan and France, brought out true pieces of art. Max Hazan of Hazan Motorworks was awarded the title of Master Builder Champion. Along with winning $10,000, Hazan took home a custom championship bracelet designed and presented by master jewelry designer, Steve Soffa. Paughco returned this year to recognize the 2nd and 3rd place winners -Jon MacDowell, Bonneville Customs, took home second place and received a complete Paughco rolling chassis and third place winner Jordan Dickinson, Union Speed & Style, received a Paughco Springer front end. People’s Choice Award went to Gilby of Gilby’s Street Dept.