Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/693447
85 JULY 2016 www.thunderpress.net THUNDER PRESS that had signed the petition against the show had new owners or had gone out of business. Reaction from the neigh- bors was mostly positive, but some downtown businesses harbored and nourished their fears. They insisted on a larger and larger police presence each year, with ABATE picking up the costs. Sky Valley ABATE rallied support from downtown restaurants, shops, and bars. They used the pres- sure and power of the press (local and national publications like THUNDER PRESS) to bring their concerns of profi ling, excessive fees, and exces- sive police presence to the public. Most of the response was positive and increased support for the event. Despite more than 12 years of success, with no incidents of rap- ing, pillaging, looting, or rumbling, the annual budget for donut dispos- als jumped from $5,000 to $30,000 in 2009. Snohomish Police Chief John Turner said that the mere pres- ence of "outlaw motorcycle gangs" required additional staff, and nearby agencies could no longer offer their support due to the economy. Members of Sky Valley ABATE fi nally said "enough" and changed the venue. The Old Snohomish Antique and Classic Motorcycle Show, born on First Street of the Antique Capital of the Northwest, moved to the City of Sultan, a sleepy former logging town without turn of the century build- ings or antique shops or boutiques. Attendance went down that year, as expected for a venue change. There was little room in the smaller town for growth, and the plan- ners searched for a new location for 2010. The City of Everett stepped up to the challenge, and issued a permit to close off several downtown streets for the 14th annual show. The police bill was still quite high, with the initial estimate set at $12,500 for 30 off-duty police offi cers for the day. Sky Valley ABATE jumped into action to bring in enough sponsorship donations to cover the increased costs, and pulled off another epic event. Apparently, the Everett City Council members were not paying attention to why the motorcycle show was moved to their location. In 2011, they tried to raise the police bill to match the overreach of the City of Snohomish. Sky Valley ABATE coun- tered the only way possible—the show was cancelled rather than pay the extortion tax on peaceable assembly to the city coffers. While there was no motorcycle show in Snohomish County in 2011, changes did come to the City of Snohomish. A projected shortfall in the City budget led to the City disbanding their police department and replacing it with offi cers contracted through the Snohomish County Sheriff's offi ce. Chief John Turner was removed from the department. The Sheriff was a much more reasonable man, and in 2012 the 16th annual Sky Valley Antique and Classic Motorcycle Show returned to Snohomish after a four- year absence. Snohomish Police Chief John Flood has lowered staffi ng levels, and the bill for 2015 was down to a reasonable $2,300. Business owners and citizens are happy to have the show back where it began. The local economy enjoys a boost for the weekend, and the effects of a downtown open house last long after one weekend in May. With around 20,000 people in town for a single day each year, word of mouth about the secret delights of this town gets out. Most shops are open. Restaurants bring in additional staff and supplies. The only motel in town is booked up weeks in advance, and motels in nearby towns catch the overfl ow. Bikers fi ll their tanks at gas stations, and buy snacks, soda, and AA batteries for their cameras at the mini-marts. Traffi c backs up for a while. Locals walk downtown to see the chrome and paint and vote for their favorite bike. Strollers, bicycles, and mobility scooters mingle with leather- clad bikers, dogs, and children while cell phones whip out for that perfect shot. Getting there I rode over to Snohomish on Saturday with three friends from central Washington. In spite of the discouraging weather reports, we took chances with a three-pass run over Blewett Pass and Stevens Pass to arrive in time to set up camp a block from the Sky Valley Chapter com- mand center at ground zero. We had 70 miles of rain from Leavenworth into Snohomish, and it rained all Saturday night. As I formerly lived in the area, my web toes were still intact, and we enjoyed talking with the early volunteers who also showed up for early duty and the limited RV camp- ing. After a long day of walking up and down the streets to see the bikes, vendors, and friends, we had another 35 miles of rain from Snohomish to North Bend. I-90 was clear and dry at Snoqualmie Pass, and we made it home with no more showers. If you stayed home Sunday and missed the show because of rain, you really missed out. Life is good on a spring day in May with the roar of bikes on the banks of the Snohomish River. 4 Sky Valley Continued from page 64 Sergeant-At-Arms Vic ensures that this show entry actually runs