Keystone Motorcycle Press

From Easyriders Events, More Bad News: Easyriders Rodeo, Bloomsburg, Canceled. At the direction of local health officials, we must regretfully confirm the cancellation of our June 2020 event, the Easyriders Rodeo in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, sponsored by Old Milwaukee Beer, Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys, Bill's Old Bike Barn, and The Purrfect Angelz. This cancellation includes the organized motorcycle ride with Bill’s Custom Cycles and the Easyriders Hooligan Race Series at... Bloomsburg. The Chillicothe, Sept 3-7, and Fowlerville, Aug 22-23, Rodeos are still on the schedule.

LACONIA MOTORCYCLE WEEK RESCHEDULED 97th Progressive Laconia Motorcycle Week Rescheduled for August 22-30 LACONIA, New Hampshire, April 29, 2020: Progressive Laconia Motorcycle Week has officially been postponed to August 22-30, 2020. The announcement was made shortly after the Laconia City Council unanimously decided to reschedule the rally in keeping with the governor’s mid-May extension of the state’s stay-at-home order. The consensus was that June was too early for a gat...hering of tens of thousands of people in Weirs Beach and beyond, particularly considering that most visitors travel from out of state. Organizers are working tirelessly to maintain the look, feel and logistics of the rally by reaching out to vendors and event hosts in an effort to reschedule the signature events that make the world’s oldest motorcycle rally so popular, as evidence by the millions of dollars it pumps into the state’s economy. Already, New Hampshire Motor Speedway has announced that the 97th Annual Loudon Classic will be moved to August 29th, continuing its tradition of closing out the week. The rally traffic plan will stay the same, with Lakeside Avenue closed to motorcycles only, centerline parking and serving as home to Rally Headquarters for the duration of the 9-day event. Says Deputy Director, Jennifer Anderson, We know these are unusual times and are doing everything possible to make this year’s rally the best it can be within the parameters of ever-changing health and safety guidelines. We’d like to thank local businesses and the city of Laconia and town of Meredith for their commitment to ensuring this historic spring event endures. In our 97-year history, this is certainly a first. But, as riders, circumstance has given us the opportunity to experience August in New Hampshire, when the state is in full bloom and the warmth of summer is in the air. Stay tuned for event updates over the next several weeks as the rescheduled 97th Progressive Laconia Motorcycle Week takes shape. Any/all updates will be posted to LaconiaMCWeek.com, through their e-newsletter and on all LaconiaMCWeek social media channels. Laconia Motorcycle Week gives great appreciation to all of our sponsors, especially our Presenting Sponsors: Progressive, AMSOIL, and Team Motorcycle as well as the State of New Hampshire for their large financial support of our rally each year. Laconia - where rallies were invented

Americade rescheduled.

NEWS FROM PENNDOT ABOUT THIS YEAR'S MOTORCYCLE SAFETY PROGRAM The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) ended its contractual relationship with Total Control Training Incorporated on April 18, 2020. All motorcycle training clinics scheduled through the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program (PAMSP) are canceled effective April 18, 2020. We understand the importance of offering motorcycle training to the public, and PennDOT is evaluating our program needs and wor...king hard to ensure Motorcycle Training continues in PA. PennDOT is committed to ensuring the program is sustainable for the future following the COVID-19 emergency. Additionally, Motorcycle Safety Kick-Off Day 2020, which was originally scheduled for Sunday, April 26, 2020, has been canceled. If you have further questions please contact us at [email protected].

NEWS FROM ABATE OF PA ABATE of PA's 17th annual Motorcyclists Rights Rally, scheduled for June 1 has been canceled. For the first time since its beginning in 1977, HAZEN, ABATE of PA's annual state party, scheduled for June 19-21, has also been canceled. If tickets were purchased on line refunds will be sent this week.... Both of these events will resume in 2021. For more information, email the state office at [email protected] or call 717.731.8955.

A Big THANK YOU!

According to organizers, by April 30, decision will be made.

Keep it in Pennsylvania!

Today we are unfortunately announcing the cancellation of PolkaFest and Thunder in the Valley for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. PolkaFest was scheduled fo...r May 29-31 at St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Johnstown’s Cambria City neighborhood. Thunder in the Valley was scheduled for June 25-28 in downtown Johnstown. Visit Johnstown produces PolkaFest in partnership with St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church. Both PolkaFest and Thunder will return in 2021 The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted our local tourism industry and our organization’s revenue streams, making it impossible for us to proceed with our events this year, Visit Johnstown’s executive director, Lisa Rager, said. The organization is largely funded through Cambria County’s 5% lodging tax, while the events are funded through sponsorships, vendor fees, beer and liquor sales, and official merchandise sales. We know how much our events contribute to the economy of the City of Johnstown and the surrounding area, and my team and I are beyond disappointed that we are not in a position to deliver that benefit this year, especially when our community will need it the most, Rager said, adding, We look forward to bringing our team back when we’re able, and resuming the work of promoting Johnstown and Cambria County as a destination for visitors, as well as planning for PolkaFest and Thunder for next year. Rally goers who purchased passes for the premium viewing area for the Colt Ford and Hairball performances will be fully refunded through Eventbrite. Rager said her team is working to reschedule the feature acts for next year. I’d like to thank my team at Visit Johnstown who works so hard to promote our area and coordinate our events. We’re also appreciative of our many partners who work alongside us, and who have supported us for all of these years, Rager said. We look forward to seeing everyone again in 2021. This year would have marked the 23rd year for both PolkaFest and Thunder in the Valley. 2021 event dates are June 4-6 for PolkaFest, and June 24-27 for Thunder in the Valley. We hope to see you then!!

Murrysville Alliance Church will hold a Web/Facebook Blessing of the Bikes next Sunday, April 19. Tune in anytime throughout the day via electronic device to receive Father Dan's 2020 Bikers' Safety Prayer. Stay well everyone.

Crossroads Community Church in Jersey Shore has canceled its April 26 Blessing of the Bikes. Please check back; we have been informed they hope to reschedule sometime in May. We'll do our best to keep you posted on reschedules as we receive them. Stay safe out there.

So far so good.