Perryville welcoming bikers to downtown Saturday

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Up to 2,000 motorcyclists are expected Saturday at the first Bikers on the Square rally in Perryville, which organizers hope becomes an annual event.

"There could be more bikers or there could be less," said Lorna Gibbar, chairwoman of Perryville's Downtown Revitalization Committee and an organizer of the event. "But foot traffic downtown could be anywhere between 3,000 to 5,000 people."

The motorcycle rally is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. in Perryville's downtown square. Bikers from neighboring states such as Kentucky, Arkansas and Kansas are expected, as well as those from as far away as Florida and Canada. The rally also will feature beer wagons, food vendors and live entertainment for motorcycle enthusiasts and the curious alike.

Perhaps up to 2,000 bikers will make the trip to Perryville, Mo., on Saturday.

"We know it's going to be a great time, and it's for a great cause," Gibbar said. "The profits from beer and T-shirt sales and other activities will go to the Wounded Warrior Project and the Downtown Revitalization Committee."

The idea for a motorcycle rally in Perryville was something that didn't develop overnight, according to Gibbar.

"My husband and I went to the Bikes, Blues and BBQ rally in Fayetteville, Ark., two years ago," she said. "I started thinking that Perryville could host a rally to bring attention to the downtown area."

Gibbar said after discussing the idea with city officials, the logistics of hosting a rally was a stumbling block, as was convincing people having bikers in town wasn't a bad thing.

"There's an image of bikers that doesn't sit well with some people," she said. "They're viewed as trouble. But not all bikers are that way, and they spend money at events they ride to."

When Gibbar became chairwoman of the Downtown Revitalization Committee, she enlisted the help of others who wanted Perryville to host a rally. Jason Butler, marketing director of Bootheel Harley-Davidson in Scott City, was one of the people she contacted.

"I told Lorna that I was willing to help," Butler said. "I met with Perryville's mayor, city administrator and city councils to give presentations. I also put word of the event out to bikers all across the country through emails, phone calls and on Facebook."

Like Gibbar, Butler said getting people past the biker stereotype wasn't easy.

"They're all supposed to have big bellies and long beards," he said. "But they come from all walks of life, including doctors and lawyers."

Gibbar said the Perryville Police Department -- backed up by officers from Ste. Genevieve, Mo., Jackson and Cape Girardeau -- will be present Saturday to help keep the peace.

"The officers will be there just for safety reasons," she said. "We're not expecting trouble."

For a listing of Saturday's "Bikers on the Square" events, visit bikersonthesquare.com.

klewis@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent address:

Perryville, MO