Lone Star Rally Returns

from Bay Area Houston Magazine October 2021

Rhythms of the Bay

LONE STAR RALLY RETURNS TO GALVESTON!

Get yer motor runnin’! The legendary Lone Star Rally is rolling into Galveston for another fast and furious four days of tailpipe thunder and motorcycle magic. Galveston Island has been home to the nation’s largest four-day motorcycle event since 2001 and draws hundreds of thousands of people from around the country all coming to marvel at the glorious work of man and machine – primarily of the two-wheeled kind. Motorcycle enthusiasts are anxious to get back on their bikes and the Lone Star Rally is happy to have them with a plethora of open-air events covering a wide territory on the island.

While Lone Star Rally is primarily focused on motorcycles of the traditional kind, with bike shows and custom build contests, there will be activities, events and vendors celebrating all kinds of motorized wonderment and the lifestyle that goes with it. The annual Drive-In Car Show features Pre1972 hot rods and muscle cars while some newly added events will focus on the Slingshot 3-wheeler, sport bikes, motorcycle sound systems and more.

The jam-packed weekend of mostly free, outdoor events begins Thursday, November 4th at noon with live music concerts daily on two stages (noon til midnight) and goes until the last motorcycle roars out of town Sunday night. Vendors selling everything from chopper trailers to saddle bags, leather jackets, clothing and jewelry, custom bike painting, parts and accessories of all kinds, will be on hand lining downtown Galveston streets from 20th to 24th between Harborside and Mechanic, and also in the Pier 21 area. Additional vendors will be stationed along the Seawall from 21st to 25th St. and around the Beach Central Park events area at 21st and Seawall.

Good causes and good times return with The Miss Lone Star Rally contest, hosted by legendary Houston rock-radio personality, Outlaw Dave, where 2019’s winner will crown a new queen Saturday night at Sangerfest Park (23rd and Strand). Outlaw Dave’s Annual Ranch Ride benefiting the Stevens & Pruett Ranch for Children and Animals takes place on Saturday beginning at Stubb’s Harley Davidson in Houston at 8:30am.

A family friendly, patriotic atmosphere has always been a big part of Lone Star Rally and this year is no exception with a special appearance by Lee Greenwood singing God Bless The USA (Proud To Be An American) on Friday night at 7pm at Sangerfest Park. Greenwood will also make a personal appearance on Saturday giving support to veterans through his Soldier Valley Spirits line of beverages that includes Whiskey, Vodka and Bourbon. Greenwood will sign bottles and proceeds will go to veterans.

Greenwood’s one-night musical appearance is special to the Rally but the weekend presents a full slate of rock, country and tribute bands on both the main stage at Sangerfest Park and the Beach Central Stage at 21st and Seawall. Crowd favorites and 80’s tribute band extravaganza, Hairball, are returning to headline the Beach Central Park Stage and Florida classic rocker, Bobby Friss will be wowing crowds with his high-energy show on the Sangerfest Park Stage.

A great supporting cast of bands and artists performing all day long include Billboard country hit-maker, Colt Ford, immediately following Lee Greenwood, Whey Jennings (Waylon Jennings grandson), Louisiana country hip-hop sensation Justin Champagne, tribute bands Highway To Hell (ACDC) and Cowboy (Kid Rock), hard rockers Black Smoke Sinners and many others including Houston/ Galveston’s own southern rocker, Zach Tate.

No motorcycle lover should go without spending a few hours on The Strand witnessing the parade of bikes both parked and cruising up and down Galveston’s main drag. Choppers, hogs, Slingshots, three-wheelers, softails and sport bikes lit up and roaring make for an orchestra of sound and sight that literally rumble the streets and dazzles the eyes.