WYOMING - Thousands of bikers to make Ham N Jam run

OFF THE WIRE
Bikers head west to Wyoming today for the promise of two great parties, impressive burnouts and relaxed drinking rules.

For decades, bikers unofficially shift the location of the Sturgis motorcycle rally on the Wednesday of the festival for a day trip to Wyoming.

They make two prominent stops along the way - the Ham N Jam in Hulett and the burnouts in Sundance - this year will be no different.

Both towns allow people to drink alcohol on its streets year round, which adds to the allure of the western parties.

The Ham N Jam mixes free food with live music at Captain Ron's Rodeo Bar in Hulett.

Today is the 23rd year that the bar gives away 1,000 pounds of pork, 300 pounds of beans and 200 pounds of chips, according to bar manager Brianna Gose. The Next Level band from Richmond, Ind., will provide the tunes.

"We're just going to have a big party going on and feed a bunch a people," Gose said Monday. "We've been really busy last couple of days. Expect a lot of bike traffic but a lot of food and a lot of fun."

The entire town opens to rallygoers, vendors set up shop and bikers start flooding the town in the morning, Gose said.

About 35 miles south of Hulett, the Dime Horseshoe Bar in Sundance throws its own biker bash starting with a live music by Wyoming band Psychedelic Voodoo at noon, according to Lorrie Hogan, an owner of the bar.

Local nonprofit organizations raise funds by selling food and other items.

"It's best kept little secret in the world. We've been doing it for 30 some years," Hogan said. "We just have a good ole time here."

The highlight of the party - the burnout competition - starts at 4 p.m. where $1,500 in prize money will be awarded to the top performers. The wet T-shirt contest with $400 in prize money starts immediately following the burnouts.

If the first couple days of the rally are any indication, Hogan expects a big crowd.

"It surprises me that's it's up this early. We have just been slammed," said Hogan, on Monday.

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