After record-breaking heaps of snow for months, the small town of Laconia, New Hampshire located along the Winnipesaukee River between lake Opechee Bay to the north and lake Winnisquam to the southwest, is getting ready to welcome bikers from the east coast and Canada to the Laconia Rally’s 92nd year. Thanks to the region excellent topography for riding, they will live up to the slogan “In Laconia…We Ride®” “With over nine decades of top-notch riding, we are looking forward to seeing big crowds returning to New Hampshire to take advantage of all we offer here, especially after last year’s spectacular weather” states Charlie St. Clair, Executive Director of the Laconia Motorcycle Week Association, “This is truly one of the most biker-friendly rallies in the country and we look forward to hosting riders from around the world who come here for our unique combination of mountains, lakes, scenic towns and seacoast riding.”
The NASWA Resort, increased its investment in the rally to become “The Official Hotel of Laconia Motorcycle Week.” The NASWA Resort will also host a new venue, “Chrome Hill” that will showcase some premium vehicles, bikes and vendors, including G. Smith Motorsports who returns to Laconia with truckloads of bikes, choppers and exotic cars and Steve Soffa, award-winning jeweler and licensee of the Official Sturgis 75th Anniversary jewelry and watches. Other new vendors will be joining this line-up of premier biker interest exhibitors.
Chrome Hill is also the departure site for the Official Kickoff of the Rally on June 13, the Peter Makris Memorial Run; the charity ride benefiting the Laconia Fire Department Lifesaving Fund, The Easter Seals NH Veterans Count program and the Laconia Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). The State Police escorted ride around Lake Winnipesaukee culminates in a daylong party at the NAZBar & Grill.
Other charity rides throughout the week include the Mae West Memorial Run on Monday, June 15, for the NH Humane Society and the June 17 Makris Ride from Coast to the Mountains to benefit the NH Motorcycle Rights Organization (NHMRO). Veterans also get special treatment in Laconia at the Veterans’ Appreciation Day at the American Police Motorcycle Museum on Tuesday, June 16 and at the 22nd Annual POW/MIA Freedom Ride at Winnipesaukee Crossing at 6 PM, Thurs, June 18.
The Rally helps riders find new places to visit on its many scenic routes with the Laconia Passport Program(TM). The Passport brings riders together with bars, restaurants, museums, retail stores and other tourism attractions; riders get stamps to fill their Passport book as a way to enter the annual contest to win free accommodations at the NASWA Resort for next year’s rally. All participants with completed Passports also get a commemorative hoodie sweatshirt and patch for engaging in the search for new riding destinations and routes.
Fireworks are planned for at 10 PM on Wednesday, June 17 (Thursday, June 18 rain date), sponsored by Progressive Insurance, and more sparks will fly at the NASWA Resort on Thursday afternoon where contestants for the Miss Laconia title will compete at the annual Naz-kini Contest –rain or shine! A Tattoo and Hot Legs Contest will follow Thursday evening at the Laconia Roadhouse at the Build-Off Tent. A full calendar of events can be found in the hard copy of the Laconia Rally News or online at the only official Laconia Motorcycle Week website, www.Laconiamcweek.com.
More information At 92nd Laconia Motorcycle Week or email at info@laconiamcweek.com or call 603 366 2000.
Been meaning to get to this one for several decades…looks like a great time…
As a proud New Hampshirite I admit a bias…
Come for the event, try a couple of roads and then ask yourself why anybody would hang around an event when all these spanking roads are available..
Laconia bike week is the excuse peeps use to spend the month of June pounding out miles in some of the best riding country the US has to offer. Three other states, an ocean and Canada within a couple hours, Three more states after that, each available as a day trip,
If polishing is your thing, Daytona.
If flat and dusty is your thing, Sturgis.
If riding is your thing, Laconia.
If riding is your thing, skip the biker malls and instead ride the mountains and roads of Colorado, New Mexico where you won’t get gouged and have thousands of motorcycles competing for the same piece of road.
It IS a great time! Laconia is a small town, surrounded by many other small towns, lakes, mountains and state parks that make for GREAT riding! Bring your rain and cold weather gear for layering–you never know there, last year we had the best weather ever for 10 years–global warming?! ; D
My only complaint with Laconia is the traffic around the area is brutal. You can’t get from Weirs Beach to Meredith without 45 minutes of stop and go while your air cooled motor burns the snot out of your knees. Otherwise it is a beautiful place. Shine the rally and get out of town or go on a different week.
On my bucket list
Will get there sooner than later
Word I hear is not as good as Sturgis,
but, wayy better than Daytona
I don’t always ride Laconia; but when I do… It ain’t durin bike hell LOL