Claim to Fame Bike Rally returns
Published 9:48 am Tuesday, June 10, 2008
After a two-year hiatus, the 26th annual All-American Claim to Fame Bike Rally returns to Harmony Park Friday and Saturday.
What originally started as an annual birthday celebration has grown into the party of the year on the motorcycle circuit, according to publicist Will Nissen.
“They’re bringing it back,” he said. “It’s kind of a fun weekend.”
The event will have live music of the classic rock variety both days and have many events and competitions for people to win prizes.
“This is a Sturgis environment with hometown hospitality,” Nissen said in a prepared statement.
The Claim to Fame rally is an event for people 21 or older. Gates open Friday at noon, and early admission is not available.
Friday will have the music of Jackyl with ’70s classic rock, the AC/DC tribute band TNT and local musician Kat Blu. Music on Saturday will be blues singer Corey Stevens, Ozzy Osbourne tribute band Aultimate Ozzy, Twin Cities funk rock band Down Lo and The Eugene Smiles Project from Madison, Wis.
Events include a biker rodeo at 1 p.m. Saturday with riders showing off their skills at various challenges. Trophies will be awarded for slow ride, keg roll, plank ride, tire toss and other categories.
A ride-in bike show will follow the biker rodeo. Trophies will be awarded for stock, best in show, custom and antique (before 1969).
There will be a wet T-shirt contest Saturday afternoon and a tattoo contest.
Advanced tickets are available for $50 at Geneva Bar & Grille, Bergdale Harley Davidson or online at www.harmonypark.com. At the gate tickets will be $60.
The weekend-pass tickets cover camping and access to the festival grounds. Electrical hookups are an extra fee.
The Claim to Fame rally started as a birthday party for O.B. Osmundson in 1980. As the party grew bigger and bigger, the organizers made it public. Soon it became a tradition, Nissen said. The event grew so large, however, that the previous hosts took some time off.
The event is back with the help of MJG Productions.
Go online
HarmonyPark.com
MySpace.com/ClaimToFameRally
Music schedule
Friday
6 to 8:30 p.m. Kat Blu
9 to 10:30 p.m. TNT
11 p.m. to 1 a.m. Jackyl
Saturday
5:30 to 7 p.m. Eugene Smiles Project
7:30 to 9 p.m. Down Lo
9:30 to 11 p.m. Aultimate Ozzy
11:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Corey Stevens