North Carolina. Macon County moves forward with plans for biker rally in 2011

OFF THE WIRE
By Davin Eldridge — Staff Writer
Macon County News
In the past several years Western North Carolina has witnessed an influx of motorcycle tourism. Macon County is no exception to the recent motor trend, as it serves as a scenic passage to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the mountain roads of Western North Carolina.
The Tourism Development Authority [TDA] held a meeting recently in light of the growing trend, discussing the possibility of holding an international motorcycle rally during the latter part of summer 2011.
The main issue of concern deliberated at the meeting was whether a rally would in fact ruin the small town appeal Franklin has with rowdy shenanigans.
Last summer, the TDA spoke with Brad Talbott, proprietor of Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort in Graham County. At the time, he proposed to members that Franklin is an ideal point of interest for motorcycle enthusiasts with disposable incomes.
“Basically, they’re coming through here because we’re the gateway to the Smokies,” he said at the initial meeting.
Talbott explained that biker rallies in Cherokee and Asheville, the Cherohala Skyway (Hwy 143) and The Dragon (US 129), as well as Pigeon Forge, are among the destinations most motorcyclists are on the road to experience. The TDA is looking to cashin on Macon County’s role as a motorcycle corridor, and establish it as a biker destination in itself.
Talbott and his father, Eddie, attended the meeting to give TDA members input and insights about having a motorcycle rally in Franklin. Also attending the meeting was Franklin Police Chief Terry Bradley and Detective Sergeant Steve Apel, who were present to advise the TDA on any potential law enforcement matters concerning a rally. Macon County Sheriff Robert Holland was invited, but did not attend.
“Basically what we’re trying to do is draw in business all season, to bring in tourism and we feel like a biker rally would be a great thing to host; not one of those that is going to be out of control, but have it maintained,” said TDA Chairman Candy Arvey as the meeting began. Arvey proposed grounds on the Sylva Road as being an ideal area for a high volume crowd. The venue is home to Franklin’s Gem Show exhibitions.
“We have worked hard to bring people into Franklin as a destination,” said TDA member and Commissioner Ron Haven. “There’s nothing better than entertainment, and I see this as an entertainment.” Haven added that he felt a rally would provide an economic plus to Franklin. “I see this to be good, clean economic growth for the whole area.”
Cajun Connection proprietor Chuck Emrick, who was recently appointed to the TDA, cited an upstate New York biker rally, known as Americade, as an example of what could provide economic growth. “It was clean and it was a really great event.”
Agreeing with Emrick, Arvey said that not all biker rallies were dirty events complete with rough housing and debauchery. “We’re not looking to have something like Daytona has every year,” she laughed. “It doesn’t have to be that way.” She cited biker events in Helen, Ga. as being mild mannered as well as successful.
Talbott advised that in order to have a successful rally, free of raucous behavior or reputation, the community and local government should be well informed of it, and interact with the rally as well. “If you advertise for a year, and it’s good advertising, you can probably get close to 10,000 people on the first year round,” he said, warning that the TDA should consider taking an entire year to prepare for such the event.
Proper communication with emergency personnel and law enforcement is key to having a safe rally without incident, according to Talbott. “Look at Cherokee, whose rallies had a ton of issues ranging from alcohol to nudity. There are issues there. If you don’t balance that you can get to that very quickly, but you can avoid it,” he cautioned.
Talbott noted that in recent years, biker gangs such as the Hell’s Angels have not been as boisterous in an effort to avoid incarceration. “Very few of them are actually flying their colors anymore; they don’t want any attention drawn to themselves.”
As for what kind of rally to promote, Talbott recommended that the TDA look into having an “all bike rally” as opposed to simply having a “Harley rally.” The reason being that with a mix of both imported and domestic motorcycles, a greater variety of people will emerge at the event, thus giving the rally a broader reach and scope.
“Attracting corporations like Honda or Yamaha … that’s not going to be expensive. Your biggest expense is going to be marketing,” Talbott added, suggesting that free vending spaces be offered to vendors to attract them.
Haven asked whether August would be an adequate time to hold a biker rally in Franklin. Talbott said to be mindful of any local or national biking events that may be going on at the same time, and also suggested to market in Ohio, New York and Maryland, as those states have a large biker influence which frequents the area. Talbott added that motorcyclists from Florida will likely frequent the event, as well as several nearby states to a lesser degree. “Folks in the south are really looking for a big event,” he said.
Haven reiterated his point, “I feel like this: if we go out there and do the best we can in making it a good, clean show that is presentable to the people, then we’re going to put an impression on the people in the county, the vendors that come, and to the tourists.”
When asked about his thoughts and advice, Chief Bradley said that he didn’t see a biker rally in Franklin as being a negative issue. “I think it is a good idea to make it an international show and not specifically for Harley Davidsons because, even though I ride a Harley Davidson, they tend to gravitate toward a more raucous crowd,” he said. “Make sure you have emergency services, the Sheriff’s Department, the Highway Patrol and us on standby.”
TDA member Ron Winecoff askedwhether any members foresaw any negative aspects of the proposed event. Town Manager and TDA member Sam Greenwood said that he saw no immediate downside to holding a biker rally in Franklin. “What’s negative is our economic situation,” he remarked.
After figuring the calendar of events for both nearby biker rallies, as well as community festivals, Arvey set a tentative date of Aug. 27-29 to hold the biker rally, at the Gem Show venue on the Sylva Road.
At the end of the meeting, Talbott commended the TDA for considering an international motorcycle event. “You’ll see growth — people want to come here. The people here are friendly. The government organizations are friendly. I know it will take off,” he said, concluding that he would be glad to offer his resources and help out in any way to get Macon County’s first international motorcycle rally off the ground.