rallies

June 12th-20th, 2021 – New Hampshire – home to America’s Original Riding Rally After a pandemic-postponed 2020, Laconia Motorcycle Week®, the world’s oldest motorcycle rally®, returns to New Hampshire for its 98th year in its traditional mid-June time slot. For many motorcycle enthusiasts and local businesses, the news comes as a sign at least, that life is returning to normal. “I’ve lived in the area for a very long time,” says Meghan Doptis of Laconia, “Motorcycle Week is a big part of our lives. Whether you attended or not, there was no escaping the excitement, sound of rumbling motorcycles and increased activity all over the state. For us, it signifies the start of summer. Not experiencing that last June, was kind of surreal. Really sad.” While last year’s event did eventually take place in August, it lacked most of its signature events and, of course, ‘normal’ attendance. “We estimate last year’s rally had about one third of the people we normally see,” estimates Charlie St. Clair, Director for the Laconia Motorcycle Week Association. “Many people, for good reason, were reluctant to travel and those who wanted to come, had difficulty finding lodging because they were competing with summer vacationers. This year will be a lot different. You can already feel it.” With the state’s robust vaccination program and safety guidelines changing weekly, a lot of the details for this year’s event are still being worked on, but one thing is certain: The 98th Progressive Laconia Motorcycle Week will be happening June 12-20, 2021. Expect some restrictions such as mask wearing whenever social distancing cannot be maintained, limited live entertainment and attendance limitations at some establishments. The popular Tower Street Hill Climb Expo occurs on Tuesday, June 15th from Lakeside Avenue and is a perfect lead-in to the legendary Gunstock AMATEUR