Notes from the Shiawassee Chapter Meeting on Wed., April 15th

By Lisa Bailey

2009 MICHIGAN STATE H.O.G. RALLY UPDATE
EVENT DATES AUG. 27 - 29, 2009 


Below are the notes that I took at the Shiawassee Chapter Meeting on Wed., April 15th. The State Rally Coordinator, Todd "Thor" Robinson, did a great job speaking and getting everyone excited about our inaugural event. This is a riding event run by members for members. It will not be like previously held Michigan rallies but there will be a lot going on over this three day weekend for all Harley-Davidson enthusiasts. 

Web site address: www.mistatehogrally.com

*** If you pre-register and they receive your payment before May 1st you will be entered into a drawing. One winner will receive 3 free nights hotel stay for the event weekend. *** 

EARLY PRE-REGISTRATION IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to ensure receipt of the Rally swag and to be entered into the drawing. Because this is the first Michigan Rally, the planning committee needs to know how many items (T-Shirts, etc.) to order and they need to find out the approximate expected attendance to allow them to make final preparations. Your early pre-registration $50 HOG Member registration will pay for Admissions Wristband, T-Shirt, Pin, Bandana, and entry for a special prize at the closing ceremony. (If you require a plus size shirt 4X or 5X write that size on your early pre-registration so that it can be ordered because it is not available on web site order form.) 

There is also a $35 A La Carte admission that can be used as a day pass or a non-HOG guest admission. The $35 admission does NOT include any of the swag. 

Our Michigan Rally will be the first to have the 2010 Demo Fleet available for guided rides. The Capitol H-D Dealer will have The Traveling Vietnam Wall, vendors, food and other festivities. 

Thursday - The registration area will be at the host hotel rally site. The Opening Ceremony Production will be held on Thursday at the Capitol Harley-Davidson Dealership. There will be some surprises at the ceremony that have not yet been finalized.

Friday events include: Registration, Self-Guided Rides, Drill Teams, Bike Wash and Live Music night by popular regional classic rock and/or blues bands.

Saturday events include: Registration, Field Games, Self-Guided Rides, Drill Teams, Bike Wash, and Live Music by popular regional bands and Closing Ceremonies at the host hotel.

Sunday: Morning Bike Blessing

The Self-Guided Rides will include A Ride to Hell & Back or a ride to The Gilmore Car Museum. We have been told that the Gilmore Car Museum will also have an antique bike show. The covered bridges around the area also add to your riding pleasure. GPS users can check back on the Rally web site... they will be posting links to download these rides to your GPS prior to the event.

Dealership Passport Runs
What State H.O.G. Rally would be complete without a Dealership Passport Run? For those of you unfamiliar, a passport run is just another excuse to Ride and Have Fun! It's a game where each rider and passenger will be issued a "Passport" card. The idea is to visit at least 5 dealerships during the rally. Each participating dealership will "stamp" your passport. And if you get 5 stamps, you become eligible to win some cool prizes at the closing ceremony.

VOLUNTEERING:
This event is run by members for members. Volunteering is a very important part of making this event happen! You can register as a Volunteer online at the Rally Web site. As a Volunteer you will receive a T-shirt and have access to the volunteer hospitality room. In addition, for each two-hour shift that a Volunteer works their name will be placed in a special recognition drawing for a prize to be announced at the closing ceremonies on Saturday night. (If you volunteer for 4 hours you will have 2 entries, 6 hours gets 3 entries, etc.) We have been told that this will be a very nice prize! Your commitment will be to work at least one Two Hour Shift as assigned by the rally committee. On the web site you can narrow down what task you want to try to be selected for and either an AM or PM assigment. We hope that some of our Chapter Members try to find a couple of hours to commit to doing some volunteering.

I hope this information helps spread the excitement that I left this meeting with. The Rally Planning Committee has been very busy over the last two years trying to make this event be a great success for all of us! Check out the Rally web site for additional details and please try to register as soon as possible if you plan to attend.


Thanks!


Lisa M. Bailey
Secretary
Lapeer Harley Owners Group


Dated: April 19, 2009