Ironton will be the site of a new biker and music festival next summer.
Called Thunder on the River, organizer Donnie Roberts, said will have a lot of activities, music and vendors. The rally runs Aug. 20-24.
“We are going to have bike games, minibike races, a Ms. Thunder on the River contest,” he said. “Pretty much I’m bringing this back because, one, there are two charities I have in mind to support, Towers and Tunnels, and Folds of Honor. Both are very deserving charities.”
Towers and Tunnels is veteran’s organization that helps first responders and homeless veterans get a place to live. Folds of Honor is an organization that helps kids in the Tri-State area go to college.
The rally will have vendors along Second Street and a stage set up on the riverfront landing.
There will be a ride in on the first day of the rally. Bikers can meet up at the Hills Plaza parking lot and “we’re gonna line up there and about 30 minutes before kickoff we are going to ride down Park Avenue, come up Second Street and then ride through the floodwall where the main stage is going to be,” Roberts said.
He said that after the spring tornado that devastated the Laidback, he and some friends were talking about it and how much fun it was going to the Laidback and Frogtown and the idea of the rally came about.
And the cost to get in is “nothing.” Roberts said. “It is free to the public. Just come and have a good time.”
The only thing that will be charged for is the bike show. It will be $10 per entry and $10 a category. The bike games are $10 to enter and $10 per category.
The minibike races will have a flat $20 entry fee.
“It’s affordable for everybody,” Roberts said.
He said he wants to make Thunder on the River a continuing event and to grow it until it is as big as the Sturgis bike rally.
“My goal is that within 10 years, we are as close to as big as Sturgis or bigger than Sturgis,” he said.
Roberts is looking for local bands to play and vendors to set up. Vendor rates is $100 for a 10X10 spot for three days.
For more information, go to Road Hawk magazine or to Nightmare’s Ride on Facebook.
Bands and vendors can call Roberts at 220-710-5692 or email him at thunderontheriver@yahoo.com.