9 Days. 12 Acres. 2 Stages.
For nearly 20 years I was resident of the Lakes Region of NH and for more than half of those years not only did I attend Laconia Motorcycle Week, but I worked it. Over those years Laconia Motorcycle Week changed, the hill climbs moved further out of town, bike week base establishments closed their doors to never re-open again yet the bikers still came with high hopes of beautiful rides, good music and cold beer. Well, 2016 Laconia Motorcycle Week looks like it may prove to offer a little more than years past with the newest addition; LaconiaFest.
The inaugural LaconiaFest, a nine-day festival of music and entertainment, will take place June 11-19 at the Weirs Drive. More than 100 rock and country bands are expected to perform on two outdoor stages. To date dozens of headliners such as Steven Tyler, Buckcherry, Sevendust, Bret Michaels, and Ted Nugent to name just a few have been announced.
“About a year and a half ago, we set out to make a music venue to complement Laconia Motorcycle Week,” said Laurie DiGiovanni, LaconiaFest producer. She promised the 12-acre Weirs Drive-In property would feature “action, exhilaration, daytime and night-time mind-blowing fun.”
The festival village is slated to feature motorcycle art, custom motorcycle builders, paintball war games, Keith Sayer’s Freestyle Motocross high-flying stunt show, and a 500-foot zip line. One of the custom motorcycles built at the festival will be auctioned off to benefit Veteran Outdoors, a charity that promotes outdoor activities’ therapeutic effects for service members.
LaconiaFest organizers will be offering multiple admission options to those rally goers that are 21 and older. General Admission tickets start at $30 depending on the day and will include admission to the Main Stage & EMP Label Group Stage, FMX Stunt Shows, Festival Village, Vendor areas as well as Express Entry. There are also VIP packages starting at $1000 available for those that want the added experience.
All in all, it sounds like just what the doctor ordered to add some dynamics to a historic longstanding tradition. It’s sound outstanding to me, and I hope the general public feels the same. Daily tickets can be purchased online at www.laconiafest.com
