Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/751464
14 nDecember 2016n www.thunderpress.net THUNDER PRESS past, was Hogs & Heifers who hosted their own block party, called Rally in the Alley. As in the past, their stretch of North 3rd Street two blocks from the Fremont Street Experience became the only game in town if you wanted to witness or participate in a Sturgis- style curbside line-up of bikes. That actually hasn't changed that much, though an expanding number of other watering holes in the near vicinity boasted a pretty respectable assem- blage of scooters this year. The annual Hogs & Heifers hoe- down moved outdoors this year, deploying their mobile clog-dancing bar set-up that has been a grow- ing fi xture at major events in the recent past, in the middle of the cordoned-off block and keeping the crowds out of the famous bra-fes- tooned interior. Rats. And, of course, we must have music. Virtually non-stop music. A total of 30 bands hitting the stages, in both the North Lot and South Lot virtually simultaneously for the bet- ter part of four solid days. Of those acts, the one that stood out above the rest was Dive Bomber, fronted by a totally body-painted, Stars and Stripes- bedecked guy right out of a freak show, and a crowd appeal that cannot be understated. What a showman. What a creature. The headlining act on both Friday and Saturday nights was, not surpris- ingly, the indefatigable Branscombe Richmond who performed on the North Stage. Wayne Newton may well be "Mr. Las Vegas," but Branscombe is indisputably "Mr. Las Vegas BikeFest." He's been a crowd-pleasing fi xture of the festivities for years, fronting his Renegades and Roadies Tour, an assemblage of no less than a dozen and a half talented musicians and dancing girls. His shows start at a fever pitch and keep the energy needle pegged for a furious three hours. Both nights. Branscombe's name comes up once more in another capacity this year, as a co-founder with the LVBF organizers of the newly-cre- ated Las Vegas Motorcycle Hall of Fame. LVBF Producer Mindi Cherry described the new entity's purpose thusly: "The Hall of Fame will honor iconic ambassadors and infl uential heroes who put their interest above and beyond for the motorcycle com- munity, and touched Las Vegas in a unique way. Our aim is to celebrate, illuminate and preserve the rich tradi- tion of motorcycling in America." The inaugural members of the hall were inducted at a ceremony on the North Stage on Saturday night, and included Evel Knievel, Robbie Knievel, Lorenzo Lamas and Keith Ball. No word on if, when, or where a physical facility will be established for the Hall, but it seems to me that the Fremont East District certainly holds great promise at this juncture. Saturday night's other stellar attraction was the announcement of the Artistry in Iron, Master Builders Championship, one of the custom bike industry's most pres- tigious awards, both because of the unmatched quality of the entries, and because it is a peer- judged contest where the builders themselves make the fi nal determination of the winner. The 16 partic- ipants in the competition represented—as this event always does—both well-estab- lished worthies and rising stars in the craft, making for an eye-pop- ping mix of creations. When the balloting was tallied, the new Master Builder Champion was determined to be Pete Pearson of Rocket Bob's Cycle Works in the United Kingdom for his salt-ready Triumph single—a true example of artistry in iron, and a fi rst for a competitor from across the pond. The accolade brought with it a custom championship bracelet from master jeweler Steve Soffa as well as a check for $10,000. The biggest winners this year, however, were the 33,000-plus attendees of the Las Vegas BikeFest. Equal parts carnival, county fair, and Woodstock on wheels, this year's LVBF introduced us not just to an overlooked and now impressively revitalized precinct of the old Las Vegas, but to a whole new and excit- ing perspective on the possibilities and promise of this now long-running event. Put simply, it was far and away the best one yet. And if you ever for any reason fi nd yourself downtown at the Atomic, just drop my name. Lyden will take care of you. 4 Birds of a feather fl ock on Fremont Hold that pose; the aptly-named Straight Up Stunt Team hooligans brought the sound and fury to Party Central Branscombe Richmond's Renegades and Roadies Tour headlined the event both Friday and Saturday nights Decked out for the occasion, Vegas style Las Vegas Continued from page 13