Fifth Indian Motocycle Day. In Springfield, MA July 20th.

IndianDay1The 5th Indian Day, a revival of a long-standing celebration  of the classic motorcycles that were manufactured in the city Of Springfield, MA from 1901 to 1953 will be held on July 20th on the grounds of the Springfield Museums. Indian Day is about showing people the great variety of Indian Motocycles made and telling the story about what was once the largest motorcycle company in the world,” said, Guy McLain, director of the Lyman & Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History. From 1970 until 2005, Indian Day was set at the now closed Indian Motocycle Museum on Hendee Street in Springfield. Esta Manthos, the former museum’ owner, donated her extensive collection of Indian Motocycles, artifacts and memorabilia to the Springfield Museums in 2000, where it is now on view in the Lyman & Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History.

IndianDay2In addition to the motorcycles on display, there will be vendors, food and beverages, music played by a DJ, and the awarding of trophies for the best Indian Motocycles in a variety of categories. Anyone bringing a pre-1953 Indian will receive two free adult admissions plus a commemorative Indian Day button.

Event: Fifth Annual Indian Day
When: July 20, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Springfield Museums, Quadrangle, Springfield, 21 Edwards Street, Springfield, MA 01103.
Cost: $18 for adults, $12 for seniors and college students, and $9.50 for children ages 3-17
Questions? Email pjurkowski@springfieldmuseums.org
More info: Call (413) 263-6800, ext. 300, or visit Springfield Museums

 

18 Responses to “Fifth Indian Motocycle Day. In Springfield, MA July 20th.”


  1. 1 richard Jul 15th, 2014 at 2:39 pm

    The original Indians were SOOOO beautiful!

  2. 2 courtney Jul 16th, 2014 at 12:08 am

    Better get this done and over with before Polaris finds out and shuts it down….

  3. 3 James just another Crazy Kiwi Jul 16th, 2014 at 12:47 am

    Why would Polaris shut it down ? it needs as much of the Classic Indian bikes on display as possible,
    Best free advertising they could ask for.

    Mind you corporates can blind, soulless and heartless.

  4. 4 Paul Jul 16th, 2014 at 5:51 am

    Courtney. You are dumb. Indian of Polaris has supported the event in the past and anyway can’t and will not try to shut it down. This event is good for the brand, so for them.

  5. 5 Jack deagazio Jul 16th, 2014 at 7:13 am

    Polaris, victory wants exclusive rights to the lndian name.the Springfield museum with AMCA has told polaris- victory that they have set up in the parking lot not inside of the event.

  6. 6 reefmonger Jul 16th, 2014 at 9:04 am

    Polaris is lucky to be setting up in the parking lot after what they have done to the vintage Indian dealers.

  7. 7 Drake Jul 16th, 2014 at 9:09 am

    Polaris is welcome. New Indian bikes attract many people to the event.

  8. 8 Greeko Jul 16th, 2014 at 9:21 am

    New Indians are tomorrow’s vintage. So…

  9. 9 P. Hamilton. Jul 16th, 2014 at 9:29 am

    These vintage Indian repair shops are not official Indian dealers. Seems logical to me that if they want to use the brand name for business purpose (not obliged to) they should abide by the rules of all Indian dealerships. They had a free ride during many years, using the brand name for free. Try that with Harley. You would be shut down in 1 week. By the way, are they all really qualified to work on Indians?

  10. 10 reefmonger Jul 16th, 2014 at 9:49 am

    P. Hamilton thats a crock. Many of these dealers have been working on real Indian’s since the 50’s. Free ride my ass , they have kept us on the road and have kept the name alive . Its Polaris that should be paying the license fee.

  11. 11 P. Hamilton. Jul 16th, 2014 at 9:53 am

    They kept some old bikes on the road. But the name lives with or without these repair shops. Your statement is very pretentious.

  12. 12 Canada Robbie Jul 16th, 2014 at 9:56 am

    Reefmonger. If there are more people interested today in both old and new Indians, it’s because of Polaris. So, shut up.

  13. 13 Guinness Jul 16th, 2014 at 12:07 pm

    Hey guys. It still looks like a bunch of you still don’t have a clue what Polaris is doing to the “vintage” Indian motorcycle community. Polaris, with their heavy handed tactics, have annihilated themselves from this community. Indian Day in Springfield has always been a “real” Indian motorcycle event. I received a letter the other day from Guy McLain the museum director that no new Indians or Polaris /Indian dealers will be allowed in the show or vendor area – the way it should be. Polaris has really messed up a good thing with their corporate money grabbing attitude. They could have handled this much better. So, Kanada Robbie, why don’t you shut up,eh!

  14. 14 Canada Robbie Jul 16th, 2014 at 12:13 pm

    Guinness. Problem is these Indian dealers are not Indian dealers. They just tinker on old Indians. Good for them, but end of the discussion. You are legally not authorized to use a brand name which is not yours to attract business. It’s the law. Or buy the Indian name, its assets, tangible and intangible, from Polaris. Make an offer. And when you own it, let everybody use the Indian name for free.

  15. 15 Guinness Jul 16th, 2014 at 12:48 pm

    Hey Robbie. So these old Indian dealers just tinker on old Indians and are not Indian dealers? Well, you are wrong. If anything, they are the REAL Indian dealers. They are located all over the world with more shops than Indian / Polaris has with some having roots back to the teens. Tell Starklite, Bob’s, The Shop, Parker and many others that they aren’t Indian dealers and you will be in for a rude awakening. These are full time businesses, earning their living working on and producing parts for vintage Indians. Thay are not “tinkers”. Polaris / Indian does not work on or produce any parts for these old Indians. They should be happy this network exists – not bully it out of business like they are doing. If it wasn’t for these old time dealers the Indian name would be worth nothing today.

  16. 16 James just another Crazy Kiwi Jul 16th, 2014 at 1:40 pm

    I Wonder how much this affects Kiwi Indian,
    Mike has helped huge numbers of of Indians return and stay on the road.

    Sorry Courtney it appears I am wrong !

  17. 17 1940 Chief Rider Jul 16th, 2014 at 1:43 pm

    Wow , some people are really lost. How could anyone say anything bad about the good people who have spent their lives keeping old Indians on the road for all of us to enjoy. If it was not for them, Guinness is right, most people would not know what an Indian motorcycle is.
    Polaris should grab a brain and realize you can’t own history and it has a way of repeating its self for those who don’t learn from it. Many of the people who ride old Indians, might have been their customer base but by creating this rift between them they are committing corporate suicide. Many people who ride old bikes also buy new bikes.
    The social network that has been created by AMCA members, parts dealers, manufacturers, riders, restorers and fans of Indian motorcycles has been around longer now than Indian was in business. So if anyone has the right to the name I would have to say it’s them!
    HAPPY INDIAN DAY EVERYONE !!!

  18. 18 Canada Robbie Jul 16th, 2014 at 1:47 pm

    So, these few guys make parts to repair old Indians and they call them Indian parts and ask Polaris the right to be called Indian dealers with no fee, no agreement, no nothing? What a joke. Why don’t they make parts for old Harleys, try to call them Harley parts, and ask to be recognized as Harley official dealers? Have you thought about Polaris’ liability for all these guys controlled by nobody until now?

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Cyril Huze