Live music, motorcycles to highlight annual Great River Freedom Rally

The rumble of motorcycles will invade the region this weekend as the third annual Great River Freedom Rally takes place at Lawless Harley-Davidson in Scott City and in downtown Cape Girardeau. From today to Sunday, both locations will be the theater of a massive motorcycle gathering and plenty of other entertainment.

Motorcylcists arrive at the Lawless Freedom Rally on May 30, 2015, at Lawless Harley-Davidson in Scott City.Fred Lynch

Daniel Ryan, nicknamed "Mad Man Dan" in the motorcycle community and owner of Lawless Harley-Davidson, organized the event and said the rally will feature concerts, activities, promotions and sales.

"It's just a lot of fun," he said.

At Lawless Harley-Davidson, the rally will run from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day, with two stages showcasing 14 bands, including Jackyl, ZoSo, Eliminator KC and Powder Mill. There also will be competitions, such as Miss Budweiser and Baddest Bagger.

Jackyl will perform as part of the Great River Freedom Rally this weekend.Submitted photo

"Harley-Davidson will have their demo truck at the event, where every type of Harley-Davidson will be available for people to ride with no charge," Ryan said. There will be three stunt shows each day, performed by Ill Conduct Stunt show on Harley-Davidsons, he said.

Other showcases will take place throughout the rally, and nine bars and restaurants in downtown Cape Girardeau will participate in the event with entertainment and food and beverage specials.

"We are also going to have the largest selection of motorcycles for sale in Southeast Missouri for three big days," Ryan said of the rally in Scott City.

Powder Mill will perform as part of the Great River Freedom Rally this weekend.Submitted photo

At 5 p.m. Saturday, 2,000 to 5,000 motorcycles will gather for the Freedom Ride, starting from the Hutson's Fine Furniture parking lot in downtown Cape Girardeau.

"We will have a police- escorted parade north on Main, west on Broadway, south on Sprigg and then we are going to go east on Shawnee over the bridge, with our goal being to break the Guinness Book of World Records for motorcycles crossing the Mississippi River," Ryan said.

The current record is undetermined, and Ryan said there's a good chance they will break it. Jesse James Dupree from the band Jackyl will lead the ride, which will end its course at the Lone Star parking lot in East Cape Girardeau, Illinois.

In Cape Girardeau, country artist John Anderson, known for songs such as "Straight Tequila Night," "Wild and Blue," "Black Sheep," "Money in the Bank" and "Swingin'," will perform at 6 and 8 p.m. Sunday at Isle Casino Cape Girardeau.

ZoSo will perform as part of the Great River Freedom Rally this weekend.Submitted photo

Ryan said he expects local celebrities and bike clubs to attend the rally, and he hopes to get 10,000 people to come to the event.

"The reason we are doing all of this is to raise money for the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Missouri. They desperately need a new facility to expand their efforts here in the Southeast Missouri area," Ryan said. "We are giving a large portion of the proceeds to champion that effort."

He added support from the city of Scott City has been tremendous in making the event happen again this year.

Eliminator KC will perform as part of the Great River Freedom Rally this weekend.Submitted photo

"Scott City has really stepped up, and they are excited to keep this rally going," Ryan said. "The mayor, the city council and the police chief at the city of Scott City have made this rally possible."

Ryan expects the event to be beneficial not only to the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Missouri, but also to the local economy.

"Our research indicates that we hopefully should be able to raise or stimulate more than a million dollars for the local economy -- between hotel, merchandise and food and beverage," Ryan said.

Isabella will perform as part of the Great River Freedom Rally this weekend.Photo courtesy of Wes Langston

General admission to the rally is $25 per day, or $60 for all three days.

For more information or to purchase Freedom Rally tickets, visit lawlessofscottcity. com or call (573) 334-7716.

Tickets for the John Anderson concert will be sold separately; visit cape-girardeau. isleofcapricasinos.com/events/john-anderson.html.

Local singer and songwriter Danetta Mason poses for a photo in downtown Cape Girardeau on May 4, 2015.Laura Simon

Today:

5 to 5:30 p.m. -- Eli Tellor

5:40 to 6 p.m. -- Where's Mona?

6:20 to 6:50 p.m. -- Eli Tellor

7 to 7:30 p.m. -- Where's Mona?

8 to 9 p.m. -- Danetta Mason Band

9:30 to 11 p.m. -- ZoSo

Saturday:

11 a.m. to noon -- Where's Mona?

12:15 to 12:45 p.m. -- Blazin' Blair

1 to 2 p.m. -- Where's Mona?

2:15 to 2:45 p.m. -- Blazin' Blair

3 to 4 p.m. -- Where's Mona?

4:15 to 4:45 p.m. -- Blazin' Blair

7 to 7:45 p.m. -- Isabella

8 to 9:30 p.m. -- ZoSo

9:45 to 11:15 p.m. -- Jackyl

Sunday:

Noon to 1 p.m. -- Bittersweet

1:30 to 2:30 p.m. -- Stingray

3 to 4 p.m. -- Bittersweet

4:30 to 5:30 p.m. -- Platinum

7 to 7:45 p.m. -- Gen X

8 to 9:30 p.m. -- Powder Mill

9:45 to 11:15 p.m. -- Eliminator KC

Pertinent address:

2100 E. Outer Road, Scott City