The Sugar Pine Ranch is gearing up for its fifth year of welcoming bikers, campers, musicians and fun at the ranch north of Mancos.
The rally, which averages between 2,000 and 4,000 people, according to co-organizer Joyce Humiston, will have a few more vendors this year, but everything will be pretty much the same as in years past.
Theres going to be more leather vendors, Humiston said. People like to see the leather vendors. Theres also going to be a few more tattoo artists there.
Recreational vehicle sites for camping are just about filled, Humiston said. About half of the people who come to the rally like to camp on the ranch, whether they come by car or motorcycle.
I think people are figuring out that they dont have to have a motorcycle in order to come to the rally, Humiston said. Were just about having fun and listening to music.
She still wants to encourage people to carpool, if they do come by car, because parking is very limited for cars.
The rally will have seven bands this year, mostly tribute bands, and they will bring great music and audience interaction. Thursday evening, which is a free day, Last Minute will play. The group is from Albuquerque, N.M. This group plays classic and modern dance rock cover songs, such as AC/DC and Led Zeppelin. Their only female member, Karen Monty, is also their drummer, and they have three guys on vocals and guitars. They are high energy and crowd-pleasing and play regularly at the Hard Rock Cafe in Albuquerque and other local venues. Theyve all played in other bands over the years but have been together as Last Minute for about four years.
The front vocal man, Vince Ascoli, is amazing with his range. The bass player, Tony Ortiz, has a true passion for flamenco and his attention to detail is legend, and Karen Montys performance on drums is powerful. The lead guitar player, Frank Armenta, is well-known for his engaging technique and great sound. Together they make a great beginning for a musically-generated weekend.
On Friday, the dice run begins and Last Minute plays again at 5 p.m. The headliner band, Eliminator, a ZZ Top tribute band, will play at 9 p.m.
On Saturday, the Rally at the Valley is at 11 a.m., a time for the folks at the Valley Inn to get rides on motorcycles and for the attending bikers to have free food and drinks. Drop Top Lincoln plays at 1 p.m., The Soul Men, a Blue Brothers tribute group, plays at 3:30, and then Bag Lady Sue performs her comedy at 4 p.m. (Young children are NOT encouraged to attend due to the language.) Eliminator plays again at 5:30 and at 9 p.m. will be an AC/DC tribute band for the Bon Scott era.
On Sunday, there will be a bike show at 10 a.m., a biker rodeo at 1 p.m. and The Soul Men will perform again at 3 p.m. Voodoo Blue, a Stevie Ray Vaughn tribute band, will play at 5:30. Then The Fab 4, a Beatles tribute band, will perform at 9 p.m. Each night at 11 p.m. there are prize giveaways but you have to be present to win.
Weve never had any wrecks or incidents, said Humiston. CDOT (Colorado Department of Transportation) is happy with everything. We just need people to be safe and have fun and we want the community to come out and support us.
Humiston said that they have even more sponsors this year than in years past and she is very thankful for all of them.
For more information about the rally, go to www.sugarpineranchrally.com.
