Rosalia kicks off redesigned rally

ROSALIA, Wash. – It’s unlikely cars will be parked end-to-end a mile outside of Rosalia today for the farm town’s annual motorcycle rally. Visitors probably won’t have as much trouble getting into booths to talk to custom motorcycle builders.

And it sounds like that’s just fine with town leaders.

After three years of an increasingly acrimonious relationship with a previous motorcycle rally organizer, the town of 650 has launched the first Rosalia Rally, with a goal of offering a more family-friendly event.

Organizers are aiming for attendance of 5,000 during the course of the two-day event that started Friday. Last year’s event topped out at almost 20,000 people. Called 100 Years of Motorcycles Rally and Concert Series, that event is moving to the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center and takes place next weekend.

Organizers of the Rosalia Rally formed a nonprofit corporation and plan to give any profits to community causes, including schools, streets and parks. They’re letting everyone who lives in the Rosalia School District in for free. And they’re only charging $10 for the weekend in an effort to be affordable to everyone.

“The event was already somewhat established. We knew we could do something similar on a smaller scale and do something good for the community,” said organizer Brody Babb. “If we can hit that 5,000 mark, I think it would be a huge success.”

And though the town appears supportive of the new approach, some bikers lamented the loss of the 15 or 20 high-end custom bike builders who attended in years past, some of them famous in the motorcycle world.

“It was just packed. It was a sea of bikes,” said 40-year biker Buzz Hicks, as he strolled downtown’s Whitman Street with his wife, Dar. “You don’t get opportunities to meet Cory Ness and Indian Larry Legacy – they’re legends. They build bikes that are unique.”

Organizers admitted the event was getting off to a slow start but predicted better turnout today, when more people are off work and more custom motorcycle shops will set up booths. A builder from White Trash Customs rode his bike into town Friday afternoon sandwiched between two bikini-clad women.

Evelyn Morgan, who says she’s the town’s oldest resident at age 93, waved to bikers as they rolled past her place about three-fourths of a mile outside of town. She noticed that the event was quieter on its first day than it has been. “Maybe tomorrow will bring more in,” she said. “I hope we have a good turnout.”