The Hollister City Council recently voted to bring back the world-renowned Fourth of July motorcycle rally for the 2013 season.
The American Biker image was born in Hollister Fourth of July weekend in 1947 when a group of rowdy bikers in town for the annual Gypsy Tour event reportedly terrorized the town. The story was picked up by Life magazine who published the iconic photo of a drunken biker sprawled on his bike amid a sea of beer bottles. The exaggeration was further sensationalized in the Marlon Brando movie “The Wild One”. The image stuck and has become an icon of Americana that lives to this day.
After “The Invasion of Hollister”, the annual Gypsy Tour event went dormant for decades. In preparation for the 50th anniversary of the historic event, Sonny Barger presented the idea of a rebirth to the city of Hollister and local business people. It took a lot of effort by many people, but it didn't take long for the Hollister Independence Day Rally to become the largest Motorcycle Rally on the West Coast.
This year, attendees can expect motorcycle-only parking filling downtown Hollister with side streets devoted to a wide variety of rally vendors. Two large entertainment areas downtown will offer live entertainment and local beer gardens. On Saturday, center lane parking on the main drag will be occupied by the official bike show which is a part of the World Championship of Bike Building. Motorcycle manufacturers will be in attendance at multiple locations offering demo rides.
Riders will receive an enthusiastic welcome back from local businesses, eateries and taverns for this annual town highlight. Around the area there is excellent scenic riding, wine tours and a summer concert series at a local vineyard's outdoor amphitheater.
See you in Hollister July 5th & 6th 2013!
