A Message from Tom Winger, State Events Coordinator
As I sit here writing this it is mid January, the snow is falling and I'm thinking of warmer days ahead. For now, though, I am looking forward to the State Seminar, the IX Center Bike Show in Cleveland and the Easyrider Bike Show in Columbus all of which I believe will have already come and gone by the time you read this.
I would like to thank Kari Engen, our Outspokin Editor for taking on the challenge of coordinating the 2008 Seminar. A BIG THANK YOU to you.
It takes a number of people working together to make things happen such as the Seminar, IX Center Bike Show and Easyrider Bike Show. I would like to thank all that came out to support ABATE and made these events successful. I would also like to thank everyone now for there support of this coming years events.
You may or may not know but 2008 is the 30th Anniversary of ABATE of Ohio, Inc. That's right, April is ABATE's 30th Birthday. The May Awareness Rally, May 3, 2008 is the Kick Off Event Celebrating 30 years.
We will be staging at A.D. Farrow Harley Davidson North Star dealership where you will be greeted by entertainment, food, and a wide variety of vendors including new parts and a swap meet. (For vender forms go to abate.com, click on events then click on forms).
Departing from there to ride to the state the state capitol for the Awareness Rally which consists of dignitaries, state legislators and various regions reading their proclamations from different cities across the state acknowledging that May is Motorcycle Awareness Month. In the past we have had Governors, Representatives, and Judges, all who support Motorcycle awareness.
Returning to A.D. Farrow Harley Davidson for the "After Rally Rally" with live entertainment, you can browse the vendors, enter your bike in the State Bike Show, meet your State Board Members, get the latest news on the legislative front, meet riders not only from across Ohio but from surrounding states as well. Or just hang out and enjoy the friendship and the freedom to do so.
Moving on to June we have a very big month. Once again ABATE will be hosting the campground for Ohio Bike Week, June 6th through June 15th in Sandusky, Ohio, as well as running the rodeo games, bike show and swap meet. This event gets ABATES name out there and can generate good income for the organization. Anyone interested in helping out should contact your Region Director and let them know what day or days you can be there. If you work a 4-hour shift you get that nights camping free. 20 hours for yourself at a great event and 4-hours for ABATE sounds pretty good to me.
Lets move on. June 20, 21, 22 is June Jam weekend. For the 3rd year the June Jam will be held at the Hopedale American Legion, Hopedale, Ohio, where we will have a fun filled weekend of celebrating our 30th Birthday, with rodeo games, a poker run, tattoo contest, bike show, Miss June Jam, and other activities.
Remember that first person you met when you joined ABATE but you dont see them very much any more, call em up, go find them, and see who else you may run into from days gone by and let them know its ABATE's 30th Anniversary and tell the people you see every day and bring them all to the 2008 June Jam. You do not have to be a member to attend the June Jam but it helps if you are as the cost is cheaper to enter. Use that as a selling point to get people to the Jam and also fight for our rights as motorcyclists.
Hope to see you at these and all of the local events plus you can also meet new friends and see the ones you met at Ohio Bike Week, the Awareness Rally or June Jam if you can attend other region's and/or county events. Its fun to travel the state and feel a part of the Brotherhood of Bikers Rights.
We are looking for sponsors for the Awards at the May Rally and/or the June Jam or if you are interested in advertising at these events as well as Ohio Bike Week please contact me at events@abate.com or our Outspokin editor, Kari Engen at outspokin@abate.com
Tom Winger
State Events Director
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