Bikers arrive at South Padre Island for Beach-N-Bike Fest

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By COREY RYAN/Valley Morning Star
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND — Beer advertisements lined the area where bikers rested on their motorcycles. Well-known rock ‘n’ roll ballads blared from the small stage. The smells of barbecue, exhaust, leather and the Laguna Madre collided.

Dressed in leather jackets and blue jeans held tight by leather belts with glistening buckles, the biker crowd arrived on South Padre Island Friday morning for the seventh annual Beach-N-Biker Fest.

It was easy to get caught up in the subculture when attending the festival Friday afternoon.

A giant, inflatable Budweiser can was in the Convention Centre parking lot. Inside, dozens of vendors set up booth to sell polarized sunglasses, leather jackets, new motorcycles and riding helmets.

They had a bikini biker babe bike and car wash Friday afternoon.

But behind all the bikers is a group based on philanthropy, Magic Valley Bikers.

"It’s a six-month labor of love," said Ellil Hinojosa, an executive board member of Magic Valley Riders and one of the organizers of Beach-N-Biker Fest.

The festival is the number-one fund-raiser for the Harlingen–based nonprofit group formed in 2003, Hinojosa said. The group sets a $50,000 fundraising goal with all proceeds going to local charities.

Benefactors include STARS, Teach the Children, Maggie’s and Monica’s House and the Larisa Cavazos Memorial Fund, Hinojosa said. On top of those charities, the group does other philanthropic projects.

"This past year we went to Bluetown after this kid died in a house fire," Hinojosa said. "We gave the father some money and we brought (construction) machines up to clean the rubble."

Making money for charities is all about partnerships for Magic Valley Riders. The group forms partnerships with the vendors, local restaurants and even the company that puts up the fencing at Beach-N-Biker Fest.

Magic Valley Riders puts advertisements for all its partners in its annual "Beach-N-Biker Fest" magazine, which it sells at the festival. The contracted groups for the event, such as the security and the company that put up the fence, give Magic Valley Riders a discount in exchange for the advertising, Hinojosa said.

The vendors pay a fee to set up their booths. Part of the food and beer sold go to Magic Valley Riders as well. Stores and bars pay for advertisement to be made official stops during the biker rides, group officials said.

SPI BikeFest, which is held in October, is a similar event hosted by a McAllen-based motorcycle club, with the proceeds going to charity.

But the difference between the fall and the spring events is the choice of entertainment. The event in the fall, which draws a bigger crowd, also pays more for entertainment, Hinojosa said.

Beach-N-Biker Fest relied on local musical acts and tonight’s headliner, Baglady Sue, said Dianna Reed, the president of the Hidalgo chapter of the Magic Valley Riders.

"It’s going to be strictly adult entertainment that is guaranteed to offend everyone," said Reed of the Colorado-based comedy act that routinely performs at biker rallies.

Passes to get into Beach-N-Biker Fest are $10. Events run from 9 a.m. until 11 p.m. today. Sunday there will be events from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Most of the events are held at the Convention Centre, although some are being held at Island bars and clubs.

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