Sturgis Ready To Rock Track

Written by Peter McIntyre  107.5 KISSFM Tuesday, 17 July 2012 17:13
Music and motorcycles will be taking over the Motoplex Speedway north-west of Vernon the next five days.  The second annual Sturgis North is billed as a music festival, motorcycle rally and trade show, and is expected to attract thousands of participants to the Spallumcheen venue Wednesday through Sunday. President Ray Sasseville tells Kiss FM, 25 music acts are lined up, starting with Jerry Doucette and Rick Derringer Wednesday. "We've got six acts every day, starting at noon, right through to midnight. They are 90 minute sets, with a half hour for changeover." Sasseville says ticket sales have been steady. "I don't count numbers, but they are steady. We usually find the majority of our ticket sales are walk-ups." About 40,000 bikers and others took in the first event last year in Salmon Arm, including some members of Hells Angels. Sasseville says based on last year, most of the patrons will be touring motor-cyclists, who are there to have fun, not cause trouble. "We had security last year and we had hardly any arrests. It was kind of like a model year, but we know that motor-cyclists are that way. They pretty well police each other and they're very respectful of each other, so there's very little trouble." ICM will provide the security at the event. RCMP have been working with the organizers to make sure the event is safe. Corporal Gerry Kovacs says that includes at the site, and on the roads. He says, "We're going to be very visible on our roadways and highways to ensure everyone gets here in one piece, has a good time, and gets out of here safely." It's just one of three music events in the North Okanagan police will have to keep an eye on this weekend. There's also the heavy metal 'Metalfest' at the Hassen Arena in Armstrong Friday and Saturday, and the Salmon Arm Summer Stomp on Salmon River Road Thursday to Sunday. Click HERE for more details on the event.