Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/693447
28 nJuly 2016n www.thunderpress.net THUNDER PRESS by Victoria Hinze OROVILLE, WASH., MAY 20–21—What's the best way to enter- tain hundreds of out-of-town guests? This year, the Rally at the Border Blues Fest answered the question with a moveable feast. Oroville held its third annual Rally at the Border Blues Fest May 20 and 21. Instead of the music all taking place at Deep Bay Park as in years past, festival organiz- ers decided it should happen all over the small town. Events were moved to several of Oroville's food and drink establishments in and around Main Street. To take advantage of the area's mild climate, a new 14th Street stage venue was added on a blocked-off street offering bands, vendors, a beer garden and sun. It was exactly fi ve years ago when festival chair Vicki Hinze heard the telltale Harley sound of arriving par- ticipants in the Columbia H.O.G.'s annual Run for the Border. Her remod- eling daydreams interrupted, she ran out into the street to greet the rally participants as they parked their bikes. She and her husband, fellow Harley owner Brant Hinze, had just purchased Oroville's historic Pastime Tavern, once a popular Main Street watering hole, with the goal of transforming it into a farm-to-table restaurant and full- service bar. "When our doors are open, we'll gladly serve you," she told them. Vicki made good on her promise. From the time the Pastime Bar and Grill opened in 2013, the establishment's window has contained a "Motorcyclists Welcome" sign. Besides being Harley riders themselves, the Hinzes learned about catering to bikers from the years they lived in Nevada where they took an equally active role in the annual Elko Motorcycle Jamboree, a three-day event that attracts thousands of riders. What started as a slogan became a movement. To help the cause along, the Hinzes recruited like-minded volunteers to form a committee that included everyone from the Chamber of Commerce president to the bank branch manager to the police chief. Their goal was twofold: to raise aware- ness among motorcycling enthusiasts about the scenic Northern Okanagan as a travel destination throughout the rid- ing season and to get many Run for the Border participants to stay awhile. For years, most of these riders had ridden back to Wenatchee straightaway after cooling off and grabbing a quick bite to eat. The committee organized the fi rst Rally at the Border Blues Fest in 2014. They also developed a website and produced a printed brochure to provide route information for rides of vary- ing lengths throughout the Northern Okanagan region and into equally sce- nic bike-friendly terrain north of the border in British Columbia's Southern Okanagan Valley. The 2016 festival kicked off Friday evening with a sold-out BBQ & Blues at the Beach. The pop- ular outdoor event takes place at Veranda Beach, a four-season desti- nation resort on scenic Lake Osoyoos between Oroville and the Canadian border. Music was provided by the Jones Street Boys with special guest "Sarge,"while guests enjoyed a steak dinner with all the fi xin's. The band, which played a mix of Chicago style and funky blues, had the diners up out of their seats. By all accounts, it was a great show. Later in the evening back in town, energetic Tuck Foster and the Mossrites played to an enthusiastic crowd at the Pastime Bar and Grill. The group has performed hundreds of concerts in the Pacifi c Northwest and been recognized by the Inland Empire Blues Society with numerous awards. Next up at the Pastime was Spokane's popular Voodoo Church of Blues, a dirty blues band with a bit of Texas bar rock. An all-star jam session, hosted by Voodoo Church, wrapped up the evening. Saturday morning, the City of Oroville put out the welcome mat in the form of "Welcome" swooper fl ags, orange cones and "Motorcycle Reserved" signs along several blocks of Highway 97 in both directions. Riders began arriving in the early afternoon from points north and south. Many stopped for a meet- and-greet stop at the Pastime's bar before heading to the 14th Street Stage. And the bikes kept coming, converging on Oroville from as far away as Vancouver, B.C., Seattle and Idaho. Oroville's proximity to Canada attracted Canadian riders from the region as well, turning the event into an international rally. The sponsor of this year's 150-mile charity Run for the Border is Owen's Harley-Davidson of Yakima and benefi tted Vets Serving Vets, an all-volunteer organization of honorably-discharged veterans helping honorably-discharged veterans with urgent family needs as well as helping navigate through the paperwork neces- sary to obtain benefi ts. "Our members love this event as a kick-off to the spring riding season. Live music in Oroville has been a great addition for our members," chapter president Mike Abhold said. An Oroville group with roots that span from Georgia to Germany, the harmonica-fronted Deepwater Blues Band was the afternoon's outdoor entertainment. The weather held and the crowd had a blast, dancing and grooving to this local Chicago-style rockin' blues band. By early evening, the beer garden at nearby Alpine Brewing Company was rocking with the sounds of multi- ple award-winning musician, vocalist and songwriter Polly O'Keary and the three-musician Rhythm Method. It was another hoppin' night at the Pastime. Voodoo Church got everyone ready for Lisa Mann, a well-known Portland bass guitarist who combines the warmth of the South with rock and Memphis soul. Lisa demonstrated why she wins awards, and the crowd could not get enough. The night con- cluded with another All Star Jam at the Pastime till 2:00 a.m. The jam sessions are a unique event for a festival that musicians and the crowd love. For visitors, the Northern Okanagan offers ample opportunities for independent rides while visiting the region. The winding back roads east of Oroville take riders into the picturesque Okanagan Highlands and west of town skirt scenic rivers, lakes, meadows and streams. For those with a leisurely schedule, wineries on both sides of the border add a pleasurable gastronomic dimension to riding here. (www.rallyattheborderbluesfest.com) 4 RALLY AT THE BORDER BLUES FEST A moveable feast Welcoming bikers to the Northern Okanagan region The Pastime Bar and Grill welcomes bikers