July 1, 2010
Ritzville welcomes Gold Wing rally
Members of the Gold Wing Touring Association (GWTA) of Washington State will once again fill the Ritzville School District complex this weekend for the 2010 Washington State Rally.
This marks the second year of a two-year agreement between the Ritzville School District and the state GWTA.
“We were very pleased with how Ritzville accepted the event. The way the people turned out for the light parade was really great,” said state director Carol Sims. “We’re really jazzed for this year’s event and really want the people of Ritzville to know how much we appreciate it.”
More than 150 Gold Wing motorcycles will arrive today (Thursday) for a full weekend of activities during the group’s yearly gathering.
A few of the rally activities are free and open to the public. Rally day passes are available on site for $15 per person, which allows full access to all activities. All activities are open to all wheels.
People may also pay the registration fee of $30 per person for adults, $10 per person for children ages 6-15 with children under six free for the entire weekend.
A full schedule of events is available at the state chapter’s Web site at http://www.gwta-wa.org/rally.htm.
Below is a partial list of events with specific times and whether registration/day pass is required.
Vendors
A full contingent of vendors will set up in Gilson Gymnasium today (Thursday), July 1, and open from 2-5 p.m., with hours of operation on Friday and Saturday of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A day pass is required for area residents to take advantage of the vendors located on site.
Vendors scheduled to participate include Everett Powersports, On Three Trikes, D&D Custom Art, Wings of Gold (gold jewelry), Cookie Lee, Scentsy, Yours by Design, Stewart Leathers, Dalton Art Studios (a pin striping artist who hand paints pin striping onto the motorcycle, trailer, etc.), Motorcycle Park Reverse Wheels LLC and Leavenworth Hideaway & Pentimento Group.
Opening Ceremonies
The official kickoff of the weekend activities is free and open to the public. One and all are invited to the opening ceremony on Friday, July 2, at 11 a.m. in Gilson Gym.
Show & Shine
One and all are invited to attend this event where GWTA members as well as members of the Ritzville Classic Car Club will display their top rides.
The public will have an opportunity to vote in all categories including the “Best of Show” entry.
The event runs from 9:15-11:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 3, on Columbia Street at the Ritzville City Park. Local bike owners are encouraged to enter the event for a $10 entry fee.
Drill Team
A half-hour performance of the Gold Wing drill team is set for Saturday, July 3, on Columbia Street at the Ritzville City Park beginning at noon.
Light Parade
After the sun sets on Saturday night, a procession of motorcycles will make its way to Main Avenue for a lighted parade beginning at 9:45 p.m.
A new addition this year will provide community members to check out the lit motorcycles when they stop in downtown after looping back through the parade route.
Worship Service
The final free activity for area residents is a worship service led by Ralph Juarez of the Christian Motorcycle Association beginning at 8 a.m. in Room 5 at the school.
Street closures
To accommodate these activities, the following street closures will be in effect on Saturday, July 3, at the listed times:
• Columbia Street from Seventh to 10th Avenue, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Main Avenue from Adams Street to Division Street, 9 p.m. to around 11 p.m.
Activities on Friday requiring registration or a day pass include a sweetheart ride and quilting bee/checkers beginning at 7 p.m.
Those interested in the Sweetheart Ride will meet in front of Gilson Gym.
The ride will include a sunset ceremony. Anyone with registration or a day pass may participate, and owning a motorcycle is not required.
People may participate by finding a ride as well as driving a vehicle.
The quilting bee/checkers will be held in Gilson Gym.
