The 17th Annual 2017 Bike Festival is now under our belts here in Puerto Peñasco. It is estimated that we had well over 8,000 bikes in town for the 4 days event. It is billed as the “largest bike festival south of the border” and indeed it was. The entire Old Port was wall to wall motorcycles. There was a group of 30 riders that came from Indonesia via California, many riders from Canada, Alaska, New Mexico, Texas, Florida, Tennessee and more. Then we had the clubs from Tijuana, Mexicali, La Paz, Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico City and other areas.
The group of 25 volunteers did an outstanding job of getting people to register and giving the riders directions. This was the 2nd year, that a pre-registration was done and it was very successful. Between online registration, Sandy Beach Poker Run, Bike Show and our local registration, we raised $541,247.00 pesos. What that means is the 8 charities, they will each receive $2781.00 USD and $3750 pesos.
There is a great deal of effort that goes into making this type of event run smoothly and safely. Remember Puerto Peñasco (Rocky Point) is still a small town to host this type of event. Oscar Palacio has been the coordinator of the event since it started and has to make many trips to the US/Mexico Border to make sure that everyone is on the same page to get these riders through not only the border crossings coming and going but through the little town of Sonoyta. Then come the trips to San Luis Rio Colorado to meet with those folks as well as the military check point that is set up at El Golfo. We also have local, state and federal police around town for safety of the bikers.
Several years Sr. Palacio came to coffee and asked myself and Sami Keesecker if we would help him to not only get the American community here behind it but to help with the entertainment and registration. How could we say no? So here we are about 6 years later and still getting folks involved. All of the volunteers are for the most part full time residents of Rocky Point and love to be involved with charity work. Attach the word charity to anything and they are all in to help. We now have a waiting list of folks that want to help. Beside being there for 2 full days to register the riders, they also spend 1 evening stuffing the bags the riders get when the register.
Speaking of charity, these are the charities that benefit from the Bike registration money raised. Red Cross (Cruz Rojo), Bomberos (Fire department) Casa Hogar Home for the elderly, DIF Penasco( the groups that helps with families in need, CAM La Montana (school for special needs children) , DIF Sonoyta and George Papanicolau Center (center for women’s cancer awareness) and DIF Scholarship.
During the rally, we also have a Toy Drive in which the bikers can either bring a toy down from the USA, purchase one here or donate money. This was also a huge success. The toys will be distributed on Kings Day on January 6th. If you would still like to donate toys or cash, please let me know at Blog@Puerto-Penasco.com.
Come out and join the fun while enjoying the beautiful weather in Puerto Peñasco and the stunning Sea of Cortez views. Remember Rocky Point is only a 4 hour drive from Phoenix or Tucson.
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