Bike rally set for August in downtown Ironton

Thunder on the River organizer Donnie Roberts said the planning of the Aug. 20-24 rally is going well.

“It is going to be in downtown Ironton, from Second to Center streets all the way down to the Ro-Na — that is going to be blocked off for vendors and stuff for families to do,” he said.

The rally will kick off with a ride on Wednesday, Aug. 20 to downtown Ironton from the Ironton Hills shopping plaza, where riders can start gathering at 4 p.m.

“Kickstands up at 6 p.m.,” Roberts said. “And then we ride into town and get things started.”

On Saturday, Aug. 23, there will bike games for those with valid motorcycle licenses and a motor bike. Among the games are a keg roll, ring toss and a slow drag race. Games start at 8 a.m. and there is a $10 entry fee per game.

At Moulton’s Field, there will be minibike races for all age groups. For safety reasons, entrants under age 18 have to wear a full-face helmet or a dirt bike helmet with googles, gloves, long sleeve shirt, long pants and boots. 

Also on Saturday, Aug. 23, the day kicks off with the Ride and Shine bike show.

Entries will be $10 and $10 per category and those categories include sportster class, Dyna class and a touring class. The bike has to be ridden into the show.

“You cannot bring your trailer up to the show and pull your bike off. Nope,” Roberts said. “It has to start and run and you have to ride it.”

The Ms. Thunder on the River judging will take place on Friday, Aug. 22. Entries can be emailed to thunderontheriver@yahoo.com or call Roberts at 220-710-5692.

Entrants have to be 18 or over with a valid ID and have to fill out an entry form.

There are three categories for judging, swimsuit, rodeo wear and clubhouse wear.

He is also working on several other things that he will announce once everything is confirmed.

“Everyone I have talked to in town is excited,” Roberts said. “I have not had negative feedback on this.”

He said he even got a call from a guy in England about Thunder on the River.

Roberts said he is still looking for sponsors and businesses, and those who are interested can call him or email him.

“Everyone I have talked to in town is excited,” Roberts said. “I have not had negative feedback on this.”

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.

He is also encouraging to go to Nightmare’s Ride on Facebook for a talk about the rally.

He said Nightmare’s Ride and Road Hawk magazine have been helping him a lot since he started planning last April.

“I couldn’t have done this without those guys,” Roberts said.