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| · July 15, 2003 · |
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· Largest Antique Motorcycle Event in Quad Cities (July 14, 2003) - The local chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America, Chief Blackhawk, will host the 32nd annual Fall National Meet on Labor Day Weekend, August 29 - 31, at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds in Davenport, Iowa.
There are several events packed into the three-day meet including: * An indoor museum-quality motorcycle display featuring more than 100 motorcycles. * Fields events where riders compete in skill riding contests. * Vintage motorcycle PI mile flat-track races. * Bike judging where restored machines are judged based on the accuracy of their restoration or original condition machines. * A swap meet where vendors from all over the country sell and trade hard-to-find parts and memorabilia. * A dinner banquet. * A technical seminar featuring restoration how-to techniques. * An antique motorcycle road run. With the exception of the races, there is no charge to attend, but the club appreciates donations - where many of proceeds go to local charities. According to Bob McClean, a Quad Cities resident and former national AMCA president, the Chief Blackhawk AMCA National meet is considered the largest antique motorcycle meet in the World. McLean says, "And it just keeps getting bigger and better each year." McLean, who recently had two of his motorcycles featured in the Guggenheim Museum's Art of the Motorcycle exhibit, said, "Some of the machines displayed at this event are exceptional and you can snap pictures, shoot video, and get up real close - unlike a museum - plus, it's all free." The motorcycles are displayed indoors in the air-conditioned Expedition Building at the Fairgrounds and are open to the public until 11 p.m. Each year, a different type of motorcycle is chosen for a theme. This year's theme, in recognition of Harley-Davidson's 100th Anniversary, is antique Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Besides rare motorcycles, visitors will see vintage Cushman and Vespa scooters. There will be bikes of all types, sizes, and brands at the meet including the ever-popular American built machines, like Indian, Harley-Davidson and Excelsior Henderson. Del Schumacher, Davenport resident and current Chief Blackhawk Chapter president, and his wife, Wanda, are preparing for large crowds again this year. Schumacher said, "Last year we sold more than 740 vendors spaces; thousands of people attended the swap meet; and several thousand more turned out to watch the races. "It's a lot of work," Del explains, "but it's great to see people having so much fun with these old machines. It's a family event that people of all ages can enjoy." Chief Blackhawk Chapter of the AMCA (www.chiefblackhawk.org) is the largest of 41 AMCA chapters and has more than 100 members. The not-for-profit club is open to anyone owing or interested in antique motorcycles. For information on the Quad Cities and lodging ideas, call the Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-747-7800 or visit their website at www.visitquadcities.com. The Quad Cities are located on the Mississippi River and are made up of the riverfront cities of Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa, and Moline, East Moline and Rock Island in Illinois. The area is just a 2-1/2 hour drive from Des Moines, Iowa, and Chicago, Illinois. It is easily accessible via I-80, I-74, I-88, and several major state highways. Media Contact: Charlotte Doehler cdoehler@visitquadcities.com |
| Produced by Judi Janofsky, Rich Steck and the Golf Press Association |