HARLEY CYCLISTS TO VISIT CAPE IN 2001

Cape Girardeau will play host to some 2,500 Harley Davidson motorcycle owners when the Missouri State H.O.G. Rally meets here in September 2001.

Representatives from the Southeast Missouri Harley Owners Group, or SEMO H.O.G., and the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau presented a bid package to the State Rally Committee Sunday. The bureau later received word the bid had been selected from a field of five cities, including Lake of the Ozarks and Hannibal.

The rally, to be held Sept. 7 to Sept. 9, 2001, will attract Harley owners from Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and Arkansas. Members will tour area attractions and participate in various activities, including an observation run and bike parade.

"This event will produce a phenomenal economic impact on our community," said Terri Clark-Bauer, CVB director. Hotels, restaurants and businesses will benefit from the Harley owners, who "are known to make purchases and ship home articles which cannot be carried on their bikes."

Faye Bleigh, CVB director for Hannibal, said the rally has always been well-received by residents. Hannibal, the host for the rally in 2000, has won five of seven bid attempts for the rally.

"Our local folks have really come to appreciate the rallies," said Bleigh. "It shows the community what tourism does for your town, because you actually see the motorcycles everywhere."

Sonny Minor of Minor's Harley Davidson said he looks forward to showing off his city to fellow Harley owners. Members will learn much about the city's heritage during their visit, and the city will benefit from the cyclists, and the curious will come out to see the bikes.

"Our chapter really wanted to kind of show off our city," Minor said. "We hope everybody will pay attention to these people."

Minor hopes residents who have misconceptions about motorcyclists also form new opinions after the rally. Members will not be coming "to trash the town and rough house and bring in a lot of noise," he said. Rather, the diverse group will participate in various activities, including "a parade, church and blessing of the bikes."

Minor said, "These people are from all walks of life. We have a lot of people of different nationalities and races and sexes who love riding bikes, and that's what this is all about."