The Hollister Independence Rally

 Canceled for 2018

Hopes to return in 2019 -- check back then for info -

Canceled for 2019, as well.

There have been years when the rally was canceled. One was in 2006, then again between 2009 and 2012. Despite no official rally, the City of Hollister welcomes bikers during the July 4th holiday week.

Past event: June 30-July 2, 2017

BIRTHPLACE OF THE AMERICAN BIKER

Motorcycle Gathering, free event in Hollister, California

June 30, 2017 Erik Estrada, Celebrity Rally Host

Trivia: Hollister mayor Ignacio Velazquez at age 13 was a BMX bike rider in Los Angeles and appeared in several episodes of CHIPS with Erik Estrada, who happens to be the 2017 Celebrity Rally Host on June 30, 2017, all day.

2017 Entertainment

Skynnyn Lynnyrd | Charlie Brechtel Band | Caravanserai | Cruella | Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers | The Cougrzz | The Fog City Swampers | Lucky Tongue | Moondance | The Shanks

Other entertainment: Monte Perlin's Globe of Death stunt show | Slow Bike Races -- How slow can you go?

June 30, 2017

10a-9p Concerts
1:45p, 4:45p, 8p Monte Perlin's Globe of Death stunt show
3:45p, 6:45p Slow Bike Races

July 1, 2017

7a-12p All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast $10, Hollister United Methodist Church, 5th & Monterey
9a-5p Corbin Bike Show IMBBA sanctioned
11:45a, 2:45p, 6:45p  Slow Bike Races
10a-9p Concerts

July 2, 2017

10a-5p Concerts
12p, 3p Monte Perlin's Globe of Death stunt show
12:45p Slow Bike Races
 

What does a small California city of 37K residents do when 150K people rip- roar into town on HOGs (Harley-Davidson), Yamahas, Hondas and Kawasakis? In Hollister, they set up the beer gardens for opportunities to earn money for local causes, they prepare for the onslaught by quadrupling up on the food supplies and they order plenty of port-a-potties. In anticipation of the annual Motorcycle Rally which was welcomed back in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and into the future, World Dynamics owner Mark Cresswell, is presumably doing much of the planning. He's in the business of producing motorcycle and sporting events throughout the U.S.

The City Council members felt good enough about his company that they committed to a 10 year-plan for allowing Hollister Motorcycle Rally to take place starting in 2013. Even if politics change, there's a commitment by the city (and also an early termination clause in any rally contracts,) but Hollister's long tradition of motorcycle rallies make its location a natural for the huge event.

The officially sanctioned biker rally started in 1997 but was cancelled in 2009 with economic factors and event managers cited as reasons for its not coming back. The 1997 rally commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Boozefighters (bike club) famed "invasion" of Hollister that inspired the Marlon Brando movie, "The Wild One." Motorcycle rallies actually began after WWII and around 1947 were eclipsed by a small ruckus among a few unwieldy individuals who likely had too much beer. The city was

Where to stay

Official Camping Host for Bolado Park
THE HOLLISTER RALLY
Camping under the trees or on acres of grass
tent camping, first come first serve
RV for up to 4 people
Call for reservations: (831) 628-3421, fees charged
RV sites range from full hookups to dry camping
sanbenitocountyfair.com|

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.