THE 2023 CHOPPER FEST, MOTORCYCLE ART & CULTURE SHOW

David Mann Chopperfest is one of the premier chopper shows in the United States. The event is held in honor of legendary biker artist David Mann and brings hundreds of custom motorcycles and kustom kulture artists to the California coast each winter. This recap film covers the 17th edition of the festival, held at the Ventura County Fairgrounds on Sunday, February 12th, 2023. Thank you to Rets Riding Glasses for sponsoring our coverage of the event: https://retsglasses.com/ Our recap video contains nearly two hours of footage of the best Knuckleheads, Panheads, Shovelheads, Triumphs, Evolution Big Twins, Sportster choppers, and many many more. We also interviewed some talented builders and artists to dig deeper into some of the stories behind these bikes.

Tory DuVarney and David “Huggy Bear” Hansen = The Dream Team

The David Mann Chopperfest pays tribute to the brilliant artist who continues to inspire so many bike builders to this day and is named in his honor. Tragically, the chopper community recently lost another influential member in David “Huggy Bear” Hansen. David founded David Mann Chopperfest 17 years ago and has been organizing the event ever since. He also owned and ran The Shop in Ventura, which has been a staple in the vintage bike scene for 50 years. We were lucky enough to speak with David Hansen and his son Tory while we filmed this video back in February. Our video is dedicated to David’s memory and we thank him for his numerous contributions to the culture we all enjoy so much.

ENJOY!

Event Info

The 17th Annual David Mann Chopperfest will be held on Sunday February 12th 2023 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds in Ventura CA from 8am-4pm.

The event features:
A very special David Mann and Friends Motorcycle Art Exhibit, an All Brand Antique and Custom Motorcycle Show; Custom Bike Builder Displays featuring World Class Bike Builders; Hundreds of Motorcycle/Culture Vendors; a New and Used Motorcycle Parts Swap Meet; Live Rock and Blues Bands, Food and Beer. General admission is $15, Military with ID $10, kids 12 & under are free. Note: No Colors, No Pets, No Outside Alcohol.

The “If you build it they will come” All Brand Motorcycle Show will feature 22 classes of motorcycles from Antique and Old School to Special Construction and Radical Design classes. Check out the Bike Show link for more details on all the classes and entering your motorcycle(s). If you have a bike that fits one of these classes please enter it, it’s only $40 and you get 1 admission and a David Mann Chopperfest event t-shirt. The trophy’s are amazing one of a kind pieces of art by Sonny Boy. It’s going to be another fun filled day for the whole family with all sorts of cool stuff on 2 wheels. We hope to see you there!

Thank you to our sponsors:
Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys, 805 Firestone, Ventura Harley Davidson, Chop Cult, Duane Ballard Custom Leather, The Shop, Choppers Magazine, Sonny Boy, Schapiro and Leventhal Motorcycle Attorneys, Paughco, Kiwi Indian Motorcycles, Easyriders Magazine, Biltwell, Choppertown, KD Customs, My Garage, Barnett, Cycle Source Magazine, Jims Machine, Black Bike Wheels, Learn to Ride VC, Born Free, Chopper Kings Handlebars, Tobacco Motorwear, Trulers, Motul, USA Parts Co.

We’d also like to thank all the attendees, volunteers, friends and family who help make this event happen and keep David Mann’s spirit alive.

Saturday – February 11th 2023

Vendor and Swap Meet check in and set up: Noon-5pm (not mandatory, but preferred)

Bike Show registration and drop off: Noon -5pm (not mandatory)

Pre Party at The Tavern; 5pm-midnight

Sunday – February 12th 2023

Vendor and Swap Meet check-in and set-up: 6:30-8:00 AM

Bike Show Registration: 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM (first come first serve for placement)

Gates open to the public: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

New and Used Parts Swap Meet: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Live Music: 10AM – 3PM (band lineup and set times click here)

Motorcycle Art Show Exhibit: 9:00 AM- 4:00 PM

“If You Build It They Will Come” Bike Show awards: 3.00 PM

David Mann Memorial Award Presentation: 3: 30 PM

The History of Chopperfest

The history of Chopperfest in Ventura California is really a snapshot of America at it’s finest. Real people who think outside the box and who can translate those thoughts into visual beauty both functional and artistic. Originally the brainchild of David “Huggie” Hansen, Chopperfest became much more than a showcase for futuristic Motorcycle design when famed artist David Mann died in Sept of 2004. The grief felt by the entire two wheel world found expression as those who loved and respected David lined the stage with his wife to honor him just three months after his death. The love for both the “artist” and the “lifestyle” he envisioned blended perfectly through a huge showing of his original art and an equally huge showcase of custom motorcycles. Bike Builders from across the nation came to both honor David Mann at his passing and welcome the birth of his signature event. Chopperfest is forever dedicated to the design, function and art of the motorcycle through those talented enough to create and those creative enough to appreciate talent.

– Big Dave Hansen (In The Wind Magazine)