Effective 2009, Myrtle Beac will no longer host motorcycle rallies
on January 27th, 2009Dear Visitors,
Myrtle Beach is no longer the location for two long-running motorcycle events. After many years, our residents grew weary of three weeks of noise and traffic congestion each May, and they asked City Council to end the events. As a result, the Harley-Davidson Dealers Association Spring Rally and the Atlantic Beach Memorial Day Bikefest will not be held in Myrtle Beach.
This was a difficult decision. Myrtle Beach welcomes visitors year-round, but the giant motorcycle rallies simply grew too large. Our staff, residents and businesses strained to keep up with these huge single-focus events. It may surprise you, but our economy is much healthier with a fully diversified visitor base, instead of a concentration on one or two extremely large events.
Please know that Myrtle Beach is not anti-biker or anti-motorcycle. We want folks to come on the vehicle of their choice and enjoy all of the things Myrtle Beach has to offer. We are ending the motorcycle-related rallies because they grew too big and lasted too long. The huge rallies even kept visitors away from Myrtle Beach, and that’s not good.
For everyone’s safety and welfare, City Council has added a few new rules and regulations. We believe these new laws will make Myrtle Beach a safer and more friendly destination. For example, with your safety in mind, we now require that all motorcycle riders and passengers wear a helmet and eye protection. We also have a 1:00 to 6:00 a.m. curfew for everyone under 18. These and other rule changes are explained on this web site.
Thank you for understanding. As you know, Myrtle Beach is a great place to visit, and we welcome you at any time. I look forward to your next visit and am confident that you will have a great time in Myrtle Beach!
Sincerely,
John Rhodes
Mayor
That’s funny,i personally attended both the spring and fall rally,still very large and active,and 2010 rallys are already scheduled and receiving reservations…see you all there.
By the way,how do you cancel something you never planned,attended to,supported or had anything to do with in the first place…Oh You Can’t.
Thanks to all who ignored our arrogant mayor and his cronies and continued to put together the rallies amidst the negative press and all who continued to attend.
God Bless America and Damn the politicians and press
Hat
Hey hat,
I always thought you had to get permits,vendors licenses etc. to have an event especially of that magnitude. It seems that the powers that be were trying to end Myrtle for a long time. The merdhants much like Sturgis,Laconia et al made big bucks but it seems they lost the war. I wonder what they are thinking is this economy where they must be hurting too.
Myrtle Beach has something the others don’t. It is a summer destination for many who love the ocean and play golf. It wasn’t dependent on the Rally but they might have to think about it. We bikers get a bad rap no matter what we do. In the end,the politicians and the citizens will have to deal with each other. There may be a lort of folks who still come there but,it surely isn’t one of the top four rally’s anymore. I,for one,had a good time there although I perfer Sturgis,Daytona,Az.,anything out west more. I just love the west. We’ll see.