Thousands of bikers and motocross fans will converge at the Great Bend Expo Complex this weekend, for two motorcycle events: The 7th Annual Big Bend Bike Rally and the 2nd Annual Hahn Brothers Supercross Shootout.
Both events will be going on Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Expo west of town. Gates will open at 7 a.m. Saturday and the event continues until midnight.
The Big Bend Bike Rally draws approximately 2,000 riders and spectators from all over the Midwest with an all-day beer garden, live music, stunt performances, vendors, bike games, bike show and parade ride. A new attraction on this year’s schedule of events is a benefit ride.
The Hahn Brothers Supercross Shootout motocross event is expected to draw an additional 1,200. The $10 price of admission – $5 for kids 12 and under – is good for both events. The Supercross Shootout offers a $7,500 pro purse and outdoor schedule under the lights after dusk.
What’s new
New this year will be a special VIP entrance for bikes, meaning faster lines and more time to enjoy the rally. Bikes will enter through the main gate, while cars and racing rigs will enter from the west gate. Sponsors say the event is kid friendly until 9 p.m.
Vendors will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. This year the sponsors are giving vendors free exhibit space for a greater selection.
Benefit Ride
The Bikers of Central Kansas (BOCK) organize a charity ride to benefit children in the Great Bend area who are fighting cancer. This year’s beneficiaries are Dade Cannon and Kadin White. This is an “open ride,” meaning that all vehicles are welcome. Riders can make a donation at the rally to draw their first card as early as 9:45 am. The short route has stops in Larned,Seward and Great Bend, while the long route takes riders to Hays, Russell and Great Bend.
Suggested donation is $10 for one hand, $20 for two hands, $25 for three hands, $35 for four hands, or $40 for five hands Maps of the two available routes will be provided. Last card will be drawn at the rally, and riders are due back by 2:30 p.m. Awards and prizes will be given away during a ceremony at 6:30 p.m.
Other scheduled events include a parade ride and the Globe of Death Shows.
For the 3 p.m. parade ride, the Great Bend Police Department will escort riders on a scenic tour of the Great Bend community, leading them past an awaiting parade and back to the rally.
The Globe of Death shows feature professional stunt riders with Ives Brothers Cycle will perform three death-defying shows. Two riders will race around the inside of a metal globe while a third person risks life and limb to stand between them.
Event Schedule
10 am - 2:30 pm - Shine & Show Car Show
10 am to midnight - Beer Garden
11 a.m., 2 and 6 p.m. - Anvil Shooting Demonstrations
Noon, 4:30 and 8:30 p.m. - Globe of Death Shows.
Noon to 4 p.m. - Bike Show
1 to 6 p.m. - World War II Reinactments & Demonstrations
3 p.m. - Parade Ride
4, 7 and 11 p.m. - Flaunt Girls acrobatic performers. The daytime shows at 4 and 7 p.m. will be family appropriate, with the headlining show at 11:00 p.m.
5 p.m. - Bike Games
6:30 p.m. - Award Ceremony
7:30 to 10:30 p.m. - Live Music featuring Homebrew
8 to 11 p.m. - Motocross Shootout
For more information, visit www.bigbendbikerally.com.
