Motorcycle Week roars into New Hampshire

Two weekends ago, Laconia’s Weirs Beach played host to the 10th Annual Classic Games Tournament at Funspot, which drew a motley crowd of arcade enthusiasts from around the world. Starting Father’s Day weekend, the beach strip will be filled with a different kind of enthusiast, one that is equally quirky and passionate, but perhaps just a little more … flashy. And loud.

It’s the 85th Annual Motorcycle Week in Laconia, and, since people love anniversaries that fall on multiples of five, this year’s week-long festival is attracting extra attention. Anticipating a potentially record-breaking year for attendance, rally organizers are encouraging guests to make lodging or camping arrangements ahead of time.

The week will be filled with races, rallies, bike shows, stunt shows, group rides, concerts, fireworks, barbecues, beer gardens and even bikini contests. In addition, hundreds of vendors from around the world will sell every imaginable item even semi-related to motorcycles.

Headquartered at the Weirs Beach Waterslide Park on Lakeside Avenue, Motorcycle Week begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 14, and runs through the following weekend, ending on Sunday, June 22. Numerous motorcycle events will coincide with Bike Week in other towns, including the 85th annual Loudon Classic at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon and the Flip Fest ’08 motorcycle stunt show at Gunstock Mountain Resort. For a full schedule of bike week events, visit www.laconiamcweek.com.

Over the years, Bike Week has become less rowdy and more family-friendly, with children’s events, blood drives and Christian motorcycle groups meeting in between the tattoo contests and bikini bike washes.

But some things never change. As always, guests can count on an endless stream of roaring Harleys and custom bikes operated by men and women who are every bit as colorful as their rides. One of the oldest and most highly anticipated bike rallies in the country, Laconia’s festival is bound to attract thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts from far and wide.

Maybe it’s the scent of the evergreens that brings leather-clad motorcyclists thundering into New Hampshire on a vast armada of steel horses every summer. Or maybe it’s the lack of a helmet law. In any case, there are few events more guaranteed to entertain than when a bunch of fun-lovin’ bikers get together for a hoot.