Golden Wing Rally
Event attracts hundreds to Elkins
ELKINS — Dancing, singing, ice cream and entertainment were part of Thursday’s kickoff for a motorcycle rally that is new to Elkins.
The West Virginia Rally of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association West Virginia District will continue through this weekend, attracting hundreds of people to the Elkins area for classes, shows, vendors and of course plenty of rides through the region’s mountains.
Brenda Pritt, executive director of the Randolph County Convention & Visitors Bureau, said she was thrilled to have the rally move to Elkins this year. Pritt said at least 216 bikes were registered as of Thursday afternoon, and more than 200 hotel rooms were booked because of the event.
“It’s incredible,” she said, noting the rally participants will dine at local restaurants, shop in local stores and make a big, positive impact on the local economy this weekend. “This event really does a lot for the community. … They’re staying three days; some of them are staying four days. They are ready to rock and roll.”
She said the GWRRA’s annual rally had taken place in other areas, and it has been in Summersville the past 10 years. The group was looking to make a move, and Pritt said she and many other local community leaders wanted to work together and bring the event to Elkins.
“I’d like to see us have more events like this come to downtown,” she said.
George Murphy, district director of the GWRRA West Virginia District, said he couldn’t be happier with the kickoff event Thursday and the plans for activities today and into the weekend.
Murphy said members of the GWRRA are all age 50 and older, with plenty of people riding well into their 80s. He said their main focus is distance touring as well as motorcycle safety.
“We travel through the United States,” he said. “It’s not unusual for us to make a 1,000-mile trip.”
The rally will include vendors selling motorcycle items and handmade goods; classes and training on motorcycle safety; tours and rides throughout the local area; as well as activities, games, meals and more.
Murphy added that in addition to Thursday’s welcome event, which took place at the Elkins Town Square, other events that will be open to the public include a comedy/variety show and a drill team motorcycle performance. Both of those free events will take place at the Phil Gainer Community Center in Elkins, with the comedy show set for 6 to 9 p.m. today, and the Old Dominion Drill Team show set for 1 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot adjacent to the Community Center.
The seven-member drill team is from Virginia, and he said the show will be tremendous.
“It looks like ballet on a motorcycle. It’s amazing,” he said.
During Thursday’s kickoff, Murphy presented many local officials with certificates of appreciation for helping to make the event possible. Some of the people he recognized and thanked included Pritt; Elkins Mayor Van Broughton; Chris Lee, facility director of the Phil Gainer Community Center; Charles Friddle, Elkins City Council member; Elkins Police Chief Glenn Galloway; Mark Scott, Randolph County Commission member; and G’na Stephens of the Gandy Dancer Theatre & Conference Center.
Sharon Titus, of Jane Lew, attended the rally with her friend, Steve, and said they enjoy driving through the mountains and meeting with friends.
Titus also said she thinks the move to Elkins was a good one.
“This location is more suitable because of the mountain roads,” she said. “Everybody enjoys the mountain driving.”