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A whole bunch of bikers

10,000 people expected at Old Shawneetown Street Rally

BY BECKY MALKOVICH, THE SOUTHERN

Thursday, July 17, 2008 10:50 PM CDT

OLD SHAWNEETOWN - The village on the Ohio River will look more like a sea of people this weekend as bikers by the thousands converge for the Old Shawneetown Street Rally.

The three-day rally started Thursday in Old Shawneetown and by Saturday, the oldest town in Illinois, with its population of fewer than 300 residents, is expected to see an estimated 10,000 people take up temporary residence for the rally, now in its sixth year.

"They really do come from all over, from hundreds of miles away," rally committeeman Freeman Oldham said. "Rallies are pretty prolific around here. We've got Little Sturgis going on across the river (in Kentucky) this weekend, too, but this one is turning into its own little monster. It's a pretty calm party, laid-back and friendly."

And mellow.

"All these years and we've never had a major problem," he said. "We had a fight last year, but it was locals, not any of our visitors."

The village's lone police officer will be joined by two others hired temporarily for duty this weekend. Extra security will be provided by about 15 paid locals. The Gallatin County Sheriff's Department and state police can also provide assistance if necessary, he said.

With an admission fee of $10, the rally serves as a money maker for the village, Oldham said.

"We use the money to boost the village's general fund, to fill any shortfalls," Oldham said. "Over the past five years, I think we've raised over $70,000 for the village, $20,000 each last year and the year before."

Some villagers are capitalizing on the influx of people.

"We've got a few who've gotten caught up in the entrepreneurial spirit. They set up booths to sell things or rent their property for camping. And we've got locals selling armbands and picking up trash, so they are making a little money from it," he said.

Local businesses also benefit from the rally.

Donnie Gowan, manager of Shawnee Package, said the event keeps the liquor store/bar busy.

"They keep us hopping. It's real good for business. We sell a lot of soda and beer. Last year, we sold 5,000 bags of ice, at least," he said.

Hogdaddys Saloon, already a popular weekend destination for bikers, sees a similar increase in business, owner Theresa Weingartz said.

"We do really good. Last year, we sold close to a thousand burgers alone," she said. "It's a fun atmosphere, really laid-back. Good friends, good food and cold beer."

Jerry Smith headed up a contingent of Snowball, Ark., bikers who decided to arrive in Old Shawneetown earlier this week to get a jump on the fun.

"It should have been about a 400-mile trip, but for us, it was 650. We took a few wrong turns," he joked. "This is my first time here, but all my buddies came last year and said it was a good time."

Benton native Eric Forby makes the trip to Old Shawneetown each year for the rally from his home in Fairview Heights. He and his wife, both teachers, are joined at the rally by other family members, including his brother, state Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton.

"This is a place to get away and it's always fun down here, not crazy," he said. "The people here are just great. They treat you wonderfully."

Forby said the rally dispels any negative images of bikers.

"There are doctors, lawyers, politicians, people from any denomination you can think of, really. People don't come down here to cause trouble. They come here to have a good time."

The rally continues with food, field events, entertainment and activities through Saturday.

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