Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/751464
35 www.thunderpress.net THUNDER PRESS nDecember 2016n and seeks out local charities that are most in need, and then provides for them, the community has begun to sup- port the riders in their endeavors and they continue to bring in more spon- sors. Each year more and more needy groups come to the RCR asking to be considered for the club's chosen charity. They rarely repeat their benefi ciaries, choosing to spread out their support among the many worthy programs that are underfunded, so everyone has the potential to get a little love from the RCR. This year the funds from the bike raffl e benefi ted the Veterans Housing & Services, which came out to be a big fat check for $16,680. The party and concert, which was headlined by Danny Click and the Hell Yeahs this year, is accompanied by a huge car show that, between hot rods and hot bikes, draws over 400 entries for folks to cruise around and while away the time by perusing and drool- ing. Bret Hatt, a well-known NorCal builder, was on hand with his stable of remarkable rides, including the bad- ass Knucklehead that took the David Mann award in the Denver's Choppers Vintage Bike Show during Street Vibrations in Reno last month. In between the music, raffl es, show and lunch, there's also plenty of shopping available. Vendors are happy to share their afternoon with not just shoppers, but fellow vendors since the sense of community exemplifi ed by the RCR seems to be contagious. One of the food vendors generously walked around to each of the other vendors and offered up homemade cupcakes. While stopping by the Clearwater Lights booth, we watched as a very polite and business-like Hell's Angels MC member walked up and introduced himself. He explained that his chap- ter was planning an event and they were looking for quality vendors to participate. He took a card for future arrangements. We asked Jolin Lykins, a fi rst-time vendor, about her impres- sions of the event. "You know, it's not what I'd expected at all. Much bigger and more diversifi ed than I'd thought it'd be. Very organized and profes- sional and a great place for network- ing. We're always looking for new places to vend so this has been a good opportunity," she told Thunder Press. We caught up with Rip City Riders founder and NorCal president Rob Anello and asked a few questions regarding the congregation of dif- ferent patch holders onstage and the "MC members only" parking sign we noticed. In a day and age where MCs are being vilifi ed, we found it interest- ing that the RCR seems to be going the opposite direction. "You know, I can't speak for anyone else or any other club; all I can tell you about is my club. As you know, we're all about our community and that includes the motorcycle community, of course. We'd like to think we're setting a good exam- ple for how clubs can get involved and support their own community. We've been through it, we've been harassed and it's taken a long time to get to this point," he shared. "Maybe they're trying to do the same thing, I don't know, but I think supporting your community and being a good citizen is a good thing, don't you? These guys on stage have supported us, have helped us, and we just want to share the love." And share the love they do. Over 8,000 attendees fi lled the fairgrounds and not all of them were bikers. Locals rolled out the strollers, loaded up the little darlings and came to hang out with the two-wheeled world to cele- brate a life well-lived. In the middle of it all, a gob of cash was raised to help support veterans and a guy in Montana won a brand-new bike, even though he didn't believe it. After the winning ticket was drawn, Rob stood on stage and called the number on the ticket and explained to a shocked Kevin Brooks that, yes, he really did win the 2016 Harley Street Bob and, no, Rob wasn't lying. RCR will be raffl ing a new bike for 2017 so fi nd yourself a member or go to the website. (ripcityriders.wordpress.com/news) 4 Rip City Riders work all year to put together an ass-kicking memorial each fall. "We couldn't do this without the hard work of a great group. We have a really committed crew," Rob Anello, RCR prez (at the wheel) announced to the gathered masses. The creative custom made trophies are coveted by competitors Folks kicked up their heels, cut a rug and rocked out all day long in the NorCal sunshine Not every car show entry was spit shined and polished. The Prius Killer showed off its owner's darker side and kept folks giggling all afternoon.