6 minute read
Motofest Press Release
The Ives family travel together eight months out of the year, crossing the country, setting up the Wall, performing, tearing down and moving on to the next show. Dad serves as the announcer for the show and the brothers ride the Wall. Part of their show consists of both brothers on the Wall at the same time. This requires the utmost in precision timing and focus. It is so dangerous that many Wall of Death shows do not even attempt duel riders.
Visiting the Ives Brothers Wall of Death at the Eustis Spring Bike Rally & Music Festival, I felt a bit like Kurt Vonnegut’s
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Cody Ives, ready to ride the Wall
character, Billy Pilgrim in the novel Slaughterhouse-Five. Like Billy, I felt unstuck in time (Billy, uncontrollably, moved back and forth from his past as a soldier in WWII to the present). Yes, I was at the Eustis Spring Festival, April, 2021, but attending the Ives Brothers’ motorcycle thrill show, I could have been at a county fair in 1921. Vintage motorcycles, a huge hand-built wooden barrel, and daredevil riders defying gravity with tricks and stunts on the wall! It’s a great experience, and these death-defying walls of Death have been around for over 100 years. The Wall of Death has its origin in the board track motorcycle races of the early 1900’s. A type of racing that was so dangerous and deadly for both participants and spectators that it was eventually outlawed. The sport evolved into the Wall of Death thrill shows that were extremely popular at fairs, circuses and festivals. The Wall is a cylinder constructed of wooden slats some 25 feet high and 30 feet in diameter. Spectators view the show, looking down from the top. Once upon a time, more than 100 Walls of Death arenas performed across the county, but now the Ives Brothers are
Inside the Wall of Death
one of only four remaining. There is little difference in the shows of today and those back in the early years.
There is nothing quite like the Wall of Death Show… you have to experience it. It will scare you, thrill you, excite you and amaze you. As the bikes roar around in the barrel, the structure itself vibrates as if it is about to explode. You’ll expect the riders to lose control and crash over the top into the spectators.
I’ve seen a number of Wall of Death shows going back to my first one at the Duval County Fair in Jacksonville, Florida in 1946. The Ives Brothers Show is as good as it gets. The legacy and tradition is alive and in good hands with these father and sons daredevil performers. This is far more than just a carnival act. And the brothers are not just stunt riders, they are skilled motorcyclists and racers. Like I said, you have to see it to believe it.
Born To Ride is proud to celebrate Father’s Day with this inspiring story of a dad and his boys, keeping an important part of motorcycle history alive and kickin’!
Learn more about the Ives Brothers at their Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/ivesbrothers
PRESS RELEASE
What: Rubenstein Law presents “Born To Ride’s Great American MotoFest” When: Saturday July 24th 7am – 7pm $5.00 Admission includes parking. Where: Boss Hogg Ranch, 906 Sam Allen Rd Plant City, Florida
Contacts:
Born to Ride: 813-661-9402 Rodeo info - Rob: 352-206-0699 Vendor info: 352-573-1164 Rod & Truck Show info: 727-289-2896
Born To Ride, Inc. is thrilled to announce the first-ever “Great American MotoFest!” Master of Ceremonies, Dave “Flash” Morgan Spyke & Mike and Fester Jenkins of Boss Hogg Radio will keep the action rolling, Rodeo Boss, Rob Schwellinger of R&R Cycles will head up all the motorcycle rodeo action sponsored by FTW (For Two Wheels) and activities of the festival with his team. Rob has many years of experience operating Easyriders Motorcycle Rodeos and knowledge of the machines that make it successful. This event is all about horsepower, music, entertainment and excitement for everyone.
“Motofest is the most fun you can have with your clothes on!” –Dave Nichols, editor of Born To Ride
The day will begin on Saturday, July 24th at 7am with a traditional swap meet for swap meet vendors. You can sell your parts, trade and find deals on motorcycle parts and accessories of all kinds for only $10 a spot.
All the wild motorcycle rodeo fun will continue all day long with Sled Pull Competitions, Roscoe’s Famous Outhouse Drag Races, Barrel Races, Bike Games, and Mini-Bike Misfits will put on Races that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Special thanks to All Steel Buildings for Sponsoring these Races. This will be fun for the whole family! WE ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE SELECTED CHARITY FOR MOTOFEST will be THE FLORIDA SHERIFF’S YOUTH RANCHES.
The event will fundraise for its “Send a Kid to Camp” program. “We couldn’t find a more fitting charity to work with,” says Ron Galletti, owner of Born To Ride. “Send a Kid to Camp says it all, we are proud to be working with The Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches”.
Along with the exciting action of the rodeo competition the Amazing Roosterz Rod Shop, Pinellas Park will deliver the Thunderstruck Rod & Truck Show, a Classic in the making. Hot Rod, Classic Cars & Cool Trucks will be showcased in this massive Car Show.
This just in: The High Seas Rally is giving away a Free Ocean View Cabin for two at Motorfest for their Rally October 22 -29 2021. More info: HighseasRally.com
There will be the Great American Chopper Show Experience with Erick Runyon, Born To Ride and TC Brothers along with a ride-in motorcycle show. Legendary Chopper Builder Mondo from Denvers Choppers has promised a special surprise giveaway for a special winner and Metal Sport Wheels will be giving away V-Rubber Tires to winners.
MID -USA, FTW, Low Brow Customs, Paughco, Boss Hogg Radio, Choppertown and The John & Heather Show are just a few industry partners already on board.
“We are looking for the next generation of builders who will carry on this great tradition and we know they are out there. We want to feature their vision and their motorcycles with our media because we can and we will” says Erick Runyon of Born to Ride.
Live music by Tommy Roxx and his Southern Rock All Star Classic band will be rocking the stage and Randy Stevens will mix it up with his stunning Stevie Ray Vaughn ripping tribute show. Mama Dukes will be setting up and planning Vendor Displays and a killer collection of Food Trucks will offer the best chow around. Almost like a Food Truck Expo, Ice Cold Budweiser, cold drinks, the vendors selling cool stuff and so much more will be going on Saturday July 24th!
Boss Hogg Radio will be “Live” all day and Motofest will be broadcast to Choppertown live as well to over 2.8 million followers into a direct market. Born to Ride will be filming for the TV Show and all other levels of our media.
A very special thank you to Rubenstein Law for bringing this to a reality! 1-800-FL-LEGAL
There is still time to get your business involved with MotoFest, For additional information on sponsorship opportunities, call Ron Galletti 813-785-3895.
