HOG Happenin’ In Charlotte

Story an oto yAlan Do ery

ey y’all, the H OG H appenin still go

es

down thanks to a few local bikers who like to get together for a good time on a Saturday afternoon. Thanks to Brad “Rowdy” Beal and Sherrill and Shannon Baxter the name and spirit of the long-time event is still alive.

For 2020, HOG Happenin’ moved to the American Legion Post #380 in Charlotte on Tyvola Road, which is a great place for a biker party because it has acres of parking and shaded vendor spots. Associated with the local Outlaws MC chapter, you know bikers are welcome there and gonna have a good time. There was lots of room inside their building for folks who wanted to chill in there and listen to the band.

This year HOG Happenin’ proceeds went to benefit the local Bikers Against Child Abuse Chapter (B.A.C.A.), which is an international organization helping treat, protect and prevent folks from harming kids.

The afternoon was kinda lazy with folks hanging out in the shade and talking about motorcycles. HOG Happenin’ was an Old Timer Swap Meet, too with several folks laying out parts to sell. It was mostly old bike parts and some of the folks I know who will be at the AMCA Southern National Meet at

Denton this month were there. I hope someone took that Harley Flathead motor home and is building something cool from it. I still want all those gauges for my Shovelhead dresser.

How many of y’all took a few turns at the Axe Throwing Booth? I saw some stick it real clean close to the bullseye.

The Twisted Covenant MSC puts on bike games for y’all and had some to test and entertain folks that afternoon. Rowdy won the first event, Egg On A Spoon Ride. That’s a short drag

race with a spoon in your mouth holding an egg. Rowdy could ride slow, too and also won the slow ride.

Bear and Bashful rode slow and careful as they won the Balls On The Cone event. It took a couple passes, but Madison riding with Meep showed folks how to win the Weenie Bite. Oh, Yeah, if there had been a “knock down the cones” contest during some of the games Rowdy would have won that.

With the proceeds going to B.A.C.A. I reckon I ought to give you the B.A.C.A. Mission Statement:

Bikers Against Child Abuse, Inc. (B.A.C.A.) exists with the intent to create a safer environment for abused children. We

exist as a body of bikers to empower children to not feel afraid of the world in which they live. We stand ready to lend support to our wounded friends by involving them with an established, united organization. We work in conjunction with local and state officials who are already in place to protect children. We desire to send a clear message to all involved with the abused child that this child is part of our organization, and that we are prepared to lend our physical and emotional support to them by affiliation, and our physical presence. We stand at the ready to shield these children from further abuse. We do not condone the use of violence or physical force in any manner, however, if circumstances arise such that we are the only obstacle pre- venting a child from further abuse, we stand ready to be that obstacle.

Basically, it’s would you mess with bikers protecting kids?