The thunderous roars of motorcycle engines revving up will once again be heard when the Lake of the Ozarks Bikefest heads back to the lake for year two.
This year’s four-day event has a whole list of attractions, from one end of the lake to the other, to draw every type of biker and motorcycle mama out there.
One of the biggest draws will be the Full Throttle Magazine compound located at the 300-acre CryBaby Campground off Route D.
There, five live bands, food stands, a vendor village, riverfront camping, a fireworks display and bikers parading throughout the night will keep all types of riders entertained throughout the four-day extravaganza.
Gates open at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 10, with the best spots first come, first served. The cost is $40 per four-day wristband that gives access to the campsite and all the fun. There will also be non-camping, day passes available for $5 per person.
Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau executive director Tim Jacobsen said a nationwide marketing campaign advertising the event has been taking place since the first Bikefest ended.
There is a very large population of bikers in states like Ohio and Illinois, Jacobsen said. Rather than taking such a long ride to bike events like Sturgis, they can make a shorter trip and enjoy Lake of the Ozarks.
Once here, Jacobsen said the picturesque scenery, perfect driving weather and paved back roads make it an ideal setting for riders to keep coming back.
Even locals get into Bikefest by hosting special events of their own to attract bikers.
Several “biker-friendly” restaurants and bars in the area are bringing in live bands to entertain patrons.
“These types of events are vitally important to the area,” Jacobsen said. “They fill that lull between school starting and the end of the transient vacationers and the start of convention season here at the lake.”
The event could generate as much as $2 million for the local economy, he said.
Last year, about 10,000 bikers showed up for the festival.
With a yearlong marketing campaign, Jacobsen said this year only promises to be bigger and better.
Riders also will have opportunities to enjoy the beautiful late-summer Ozarks landscape during daily scenic recommended rides and during the “Never Forget Ride” on Sept. 11, designed to “send a clear message to the world that we will Never Forget … what happened that September day back in 2001,” according to www.neverforgetride.com.
