Rosalia happy with biker event

The “100 Years of Motorcycles” bike rally has rolled out of Rosalia, Wash., but it might be back next year.

Rosalia Mayor Ken Jacobs said although there was some apprehension about the event this year, he would approve the rally for next summer if approached with a request.

Initial estimates by the city and event organizers have pegged turnout at Saturday’s rally at nearly 10,000.

Several dozen bike vendors set up displays; a handful of other vendors sold items ranging from jewelry to food to leather vests.

“It was a great thing for business-people,” Jacobs said. “It’s going to help us gain recognition, that’s for sure.”

Jacobs said the cost to the city was minimal due in large part to volunteers, including firefighters, security workers and cleanup crews.

He said it’s too early to know the economic impact, but the rally probably brought at least $100,000 to the small farming community. He said event organizer Josh Bryan, owner of National Custom Motorworks in Spokane, agreed to pay at least $5,000 to the city to hold the rally there.

“I know all the restaurants and eatery places downtown were full from 11 (a.m.) to 6 or 7 (p.m.),” Jacobs said.

Rosalia Marshal Robert Fitzgerald said “absolutely zero” problems were caused by visiting bikers, but local residents are suspected in several acts of minor vandalism. A car was vandalized and several windows were broken in the city, he said.

Fitzgerald said state, county and local law enforcement worked through the weekend to help avoid problems.

“It went really well,” he said. “The bikers were courteous; they came in to have a good time; they obeyed all the laws and the rules.”

Bryan, who didn’t return calls seeking comment, has said he would like the rally to become an annual event.