For Immediate Release         Media Contact:  Pam Jones or Marjorie Beenders
August 24, 2009                                           Phone: 573-636-8282 « Email: pam@tbmg.net

Bikefest to Offer Concerts, Contests and Comaraderie
at Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks

 Lake of the Ozarks, Mo. – Concerts and contests, scenic rides and vendor villages will be just some of the featured attractions at the third annual Lake of the Ozarks Bikefest, Sept. 17-20.  The majority of activities will take place at the Horny Toad Entertainment Complex and Lake of the Ozarks Harley Davidson.  Area restaurants and nightspots also will sponsor special activities.

Merlyn Vandervort, Horny Toad Entertainment Complex owner (and Harley rider) says about 25,000 riders and friends attended last year’s Bikefest and more are expected this year.  “Because of the downturn in the economy, people who planned to attend motorcycle rallies in Sturgis or Daytona may stay closer to home and take advantage of our central location,” he notes.  “Also, in this part of the country, there haven’t been many biker festivals except for Little Sturgis in Kentucky and Bikes, Blues & BBQ in Fayetteville, Arkansas, so our Bikefest really is filling a need.”

New for 2009 will be a large bike-builder village at the Horny Toad complex featuring everything a biker could dream of to customize his or her ride, as well as apparel, jewelry, food and more.  “We’ll have 20 or more bike-builders from all over the U.S. displaying custom cycles and parts,” Vandervort says.  “It will be a great one-stop opportunity for people to take a look at some amazing custom bikes.”
 
Full Throttle Midwest magazine will once again sponsor the popular Bikefest Passport program, which will allow participants to enjoy specials and discounts at 23 Lake-area bars, restaurants and nightspots.  Participants who receive a stamp from all 23 Passport locations will be eligible for a drawing to win prizes including the Grand Prize Harley Davidson 2009 FXDB Dyna Street Bob in Vivid Black, donated by Lake of the Ozarks Harley Davidson.  Proceeds from the Passport program will benefit the Tri-County YMCA.

The Horny Toad complex will be the site of fireworks displays and two free Bikefest concerts: Lynyrd Synyrd and ZZ Top tribute bands on Friday, Sept. 18, and the legendary rock group Head East on Saturday, Sept. 19. 
Also at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, the “Cage of Honor Hall of Fame Night” will take place at the Horny Toad, featuring UFC Hall of Famers Ken Shamrock and Dan “The Beast” Severn, with special guests, former championship figure skater Tonya Harding, plus Tommy “The Duke” and Timmy Morrison. Tickets will start at $15.

Throughout Bikefest, visitors will be able to have their motorcycles analyzed and adjusted on the Dyno Truck at Lake of the Ozarks Harley Davidson.  Live music, games and contests will be ongoing all weekend, as well as opportunities to enjoy the beautiful late-summer Ozarks landscape during daily scenic recommended rides—including the 110-mile “Bikers for Babies” ride to Columbia, Mo., on Saturday, Sept. 19, to benefit the March of Dimes. A $25 donation will include the ride, awards and an after-party at Toad Cove.

Bikefest visitors also will enjoy stopping by the fascinating Mountain Man Rendezvous which will take place at the Silver Star Campground below Bagnell Dam,

Vandervort notes the recently opened Resort & Yacht Club at Toad Cove will offer special Bikefest rates.  Other Lake-area lodging includes hotels, motels, vacation homes and condos, cabins, B&Bs and campgrounds, as well as full-service and family-owned resorts.  Many will offer discounted Bikefest rates.

The Lake of the Ozarks Bikefest is sponsored by the Horny Toad Entertainment Complex, Resort & Yacht Club, Full Throttle Midwest, Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitors Bureau, Tri-County Lodging Association, Lake of the Ozarks Harley-Davidson, Dog Days Bar & Grill and Shady Gators.

“We’re looking forward to a great third annual Bikefest event,” Vandervort says.  “We hope everyone will show up and enjoy a fun and safe weekend at the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks.”

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