Bikers, rockers, fun-seekers - They're all coming to Bikefest

Off the Wire
For additional Bikefest details and information about lodging, dining, shopping, events and attractions throughout the Lake area, contact the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau at 800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253) or visit the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau’s web site, www.funlake.com

By Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau

LAKE OF THE OZARKS, MO - Thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts will enjoy music—including concerts by rockers Bad Company with Brian Howe and Molly Hatchet—plus vendors, scenic rides, contests, competitions and camaraderie at the 4th annual 2010 Bikefest at Lake of the Ozarks, Sept. 16-19.

Event promoters are expecting thousands of riders and friends at this increasingly popular, activity-packed four-day event. The action will take place at the Lake Expo Center in Osage Beach, Lake of the Ozarks Harley-Davidson in Osage Beach and the Full Throttle Midwest Magazine Party Compound at Toad Cove in Lake Ozark. Area restaurants and nightspots also will sponsor special Bikefest activities.

“The Lake of the Ozarks is an ideal location in the central United States for hosting a motorcycle event,” says Tim Jacobsen, director of the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau. “Riders will appreciate the area’s scenic, rolling hills plus our unique attractions, restaurants and lodging opportunities. Going into the fourth year of the Lake of the Ozarks Bikefest, our community welcomes riders and invites them to experience the friendly hospitality of the Lake of the Ozarks.”

As in the past, music will be a main attraction at the Bikefest. Here’s a quick rundown of the concerts schedule:

*
Thursday, Sept. 16

7 p.m., Expo Center (Behind Prewitt's Point) - Devon Allman’s Honeytribe (he’s the son of famed rocker Greg Allman); $15 (plus a $5 ticket fee).

7 p.m., Toad Cove - Complimentary Nuts; free admission.

9 p.m., Bagnell Dam River Park - 2$Piztolz; free admission.

Friday, Sept. 17

12 p.m., Lake of the Ozarks Harley-Davidson - Dale Blue; free admission.

4 p.m., Lake of the Ozarks Harley-Davidson - Phat Mike & The Bartenders; free admission.

7 p.m., Expo Center - Southern rock superstars Molly Hatchet, of “Flirtin’ With Disaster” fame; opening act will be the famed Southern rock band, Blackfoot; $30 (plus a $5 ticket fee).

8 p.m., Toad Cove - 65 South; free admission.

9 p.m., Bagnell Dam River Park - Tribute bands Silver Bullet (Bob Seger), Paradise City (Guns N Roses), Dead or Alive (Bon Jovi); free admission.

Saturday, Sept. 18

7 p.m., Expo Center - British mega-group Bad Company with former lead singer Brian Howe; opening act will be Zoso, The Ultimate Led Zepplin Experience; $35 (plus a $5 ticket fee).

7 p.m., Toad Cove - Tribute band Revelation (Journey); free admission.

A portion of all Lake Expo ticket sales will go to Bikers for Babies to raise money for the March of Dimes. For Expo Center ticket information, please call (573) 302-1988 or visit www.LakeBikeFest.com. For information about the free concert series please visit www.lakeof theozarksbikefest.com.

Other exciting Bikefest activities at the Expo Center will include motorcycle rodeos and bike shows, mechanical bull-riding, extreme freestyle motocross and a rat rod contest. A Biker Street Party and Bike Show, sponsored by The Leather Man, Bagnell Dam River Park and Full Throttle Magazine, will take place on the Historic Bagnell Dam Strip starting at 5 p.m. Saturday. Also at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday night, Captain Ron’s in Sunrise Beach will host cage fighting with celebrity guests including Heath “the Texas Crazy Horse” Herring and former Olympics skater turned pro-boxer turned author Tonya Harding. Tickets will start at $15 and are available at www.captainronsathelake.com.

Visitors also will enjoy checking out the merchandise and more at three vendor villages, offering bike-builder displays of custom cycles and parts, detailing and airbrushing, tattoos, leather and other apparel, jewelry, food and much, much more. The vendor villages will be open daily and into the night at the Expo Center, the Full Throttle Party Compound at Toad Cove and Lake of the Ozarks Harley-Davidson.

“We truly enjoy providing a great experience at the Lake of the Ozarks Harley-Davidson shop for all of the motorcyclists and motorcycle enthusiasts during BikeFest,” says owner Jack Fleming. “It’s a great opportunity for fellow motorcyclists to stop by and enjoy the extra festivities such as live bands, great food and product vendors. We look forward to the growth of this event in the years to come!”

Full Throttle Midwest magazine will once again sponsor the Full-Throttle Passport Run that will acquaint bikers with more than two dozen bars, restaurants and nightspots throughout the Lake area. Bikers who get their “passport” stamped from every participating establishment will be eligible to enter a drawing for a custom Harley-Davidson donated by Lake of the Ozarks Harley-Davidson. The bike, valued at $28,000, is a 2008 Customized FLHTP with a 103 cu. in. motor and custom Harley-Davidson paint and wheels. A portion of Bikefest Passport sale proceeds will be donated to the Tri-County YMCA of the Ozarks.

Bikers also will have opportunities to enjoy the beautiful late-summer Ozarks scenery by taking part in daily scenic recommended rides.

The Lake of the Ozarks offers bikers a wide array of lodging options during Bikefest—from campgrounds and cabins to vacation condos and homes, full-service to family-owned resorts, plus hotels, motels and B&Bs. For a complete list of lodging at Lake of the Ozarks, please visit www.funlake.com. Many lodging properties are offering special Bikefest rates; visit www.LakeBikefest.com or www.lakeoftheozarksbikefest.com.

The Lake of the Ozarks Bikefest is sponsored by Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau, Tri-County Lodging Association, Lake of the Ozarks Harley-Davidson, Shady Gators, Lazy Gators, Backwater Jack’s, Bootleggers, Captain Ron’s, Cannon Smoked Saloon, Dog Days, Shorty Pants, Wobbly Boots, the Lake Expo Center, Camden on the Lake, Full Throttle Midwest Magazine, Lake Media-Vacation News, LO Profile Magazine and Budweiser.

For additional Bikefest details, as well as more information about lodging, dining, shopping, events and attractions throughout the Lake area, contact the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau at 800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253) or visit the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau’s web site, www.funlake.com.

original article