Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/738714
34 nNovember 2016n www.thunderpress.net THUNDER PRESS Harley-Davidson in Reno, Battle Born Harley-Davidson in Carson City, and Virginia City were jam- packed with food and merchandise vendors, constant entertainment, with bands, shows, poker runs, VIP pool parties, car and motorcycle auction, International Bikini Team with the Ms. Bikini Contest, tattoo expo, and an awesome bike show, Denver's Choppers Vintage Bike Show. The promoter has always dedi- cated himself to making each event year better or at least a little different than the last and this year with the political and social climate it was somewhat fi tting for the headliner entertainment to be Bill O'Reilly and Dennis Miller on the stage and with tickets ranging from $109 up to $875 they were sold out with 6,250 people in attendance at this event. These two did not disappoint and all persons found something to laugh at including our own friends, Stan Leventhal and Steve Schapiro from the Law Offi ces of Schapiro and Leventhal. Steve had been bragging how he was going to "drag" his very non-political partner, Stan, to this event. We got to speak with Stan after the event and he actu- ally said he had fun and laughed a bit and was actually chuckling when he said he "was amazed at the number of people that would actually pay money to listen to political talking heads," but, hey, if we don't fi nd amusement at some of the political antics then we are could really doomed, right? It was also quite different this year to have a special occasion in support and appreciation of law enforcement. Most of us remember the popu- lar police drama series CHiPS and the very sexy actor (one of People magazine's sexiest bachelors) Erik Estrada who played Frank "Ponch" Poncherello. Mr. Estrada is the founder and longtime supporter of a charity benefi tting police families. He was part of a special pinning ceremony for one of Reno's newest motor offi cers, Offi cer Steve Mayfi eld, who had just completed his fi nal training to be a motor offi cer. "Ponch," I mean Mr. Estrada, was also honored as the Grand Marshall of the parade of motor offi - cers from the Reno Police Department that closed off streets in downtown Reno on Thursday night. There was just so much to do and experience during this year's Reno Street Vibrations there was no possi- ble way to take it all in. For bikers as well as the unsuspecting tourists there was musical entertainment on almost every corner in downtown Reno and at all the venues to keep the crowds rockin' and rollin' through the entire event. Though they were not on the main event schedule, that didn't stop hundreds of Fryed Brothers fans from showing up for their concert at Davidson's Distillery Friday night and in Virginia City on Saturday night. The Fryed Brothers are well known as the premier biker band with their biker-in- spired songs like "I Ride" and "The Roar of Dirty Thunder." We have been Fryed fans for many years and it was a pleasure to introduce some new folks who are now Fryed fans including my co-conspirator, Janice The Utahrian. There were merchandise vendors galore with just about anything you would need or want from a bike event, from phone chargers to clothing, cut- lery, cigars, bike parts, solar fl ashlights (yes, we are proud owners) and some well-known bike builders includ- ing Nickell's Customs out of Lodi, California. Some of the usual suspects in vendor merchandising were Outlaw Threadz with their apparel displaying support of our Second Amendment, Crazy Bitch clothing (who said this was their best Street Vibrations event yet), Doug Dober with WindVest serving many new and old customers out at Battle Born Harley-Davidson, and Purple Slice at both Battle Born H-D and Chester's Harley-Davidson in Reno. It was especially touching to see the Purple Slice legacy surging for- ward with Jerry Ross's son, John. As most of our readers know, Jerry passed away unexpectedly this year and while it was always Jerry and Barbara's dream for their son John to take the helm they just didn't plan on it hap- pening this soon. Barbara was unable to make it to this event so it was all up to John and from our vantage point it looked like John has stepped up to his role and we could see the best of Jerry and Barb all meshed into John as he promoted his father's brand and the product he was so proud of while tak- ing care of the behind the scenes work of his mom in her absence. Bravo to you John, your dad would be so proud. R.I.P. Jerry, you are missed but defi - nitely not forgotten. The Reno Ballroom in down- town Reno was the central focal point for registration, vendors, registered VIP bike sales, the tattoo expo, as well as the up and coming Denver's Street Vibrations Continued from page 1 Through Gold Hill to Virginia City Riding high in Carson City Grand Marshall Erik "Ponch" Estrada in the parade of motor offi cers in downtown Reno