Pigs and H.O.G.s to squeal (tires) in Townsend in 2008

By Iva Butler
of The Daily Times Staff

Pigs and H.O.G.S alike will be converging on Townsend for rallies in May and June, bringing with them not squeals but heavy metal thunder.

Valley View Lodge will serve as the hub hotel for thousands of motorcyclists in Townsend, who are expected to also bring welcome sounds, the cha-chings of cash registers at businesses throughout the region.

Punkin Center Motorcycle Resort at Tallassee will host events June through October.

Smoke in the Mountains

The 2008 Tennessee H.O.G. (Harley Owners Group) Rally called "Smoke in the Mountains" will be held June 4-7.

Many of the activities will be at Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson and Buell in Maryville, where the vendor mall will be located, as well as at the Valley View.

Scott Maddux, owner of Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson, said he anticipates the rally will draw around 4,000 motorcyclists. "An average state rally would draw 2,000 to 2,500, but just based on the response from this area and the region I think this will be the largest state rally ever," he said.

According to the state H.O.G. Web site, www.tnstatehogrally.com, many area hotels are already sold out for the rally.

"The national H.O.G. rally was held here last year and I anticipate seeing motels as far as Lenoir City be full," Maddux said.

"I think what we'll see are a whole lot of people not just from Tennessee. The city of Maryville and Blount County did a great job welcoming people last year," he added.

Kevin Maples, manager of host Valley View Lodge, agrees. His facility has 150 rooms and they are all booked for June 4-7. People have registered from Tennessee and the surrounding states, North and South Carolina, Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Arkansas, as well as far away as Michigan and Wisconsin.

"A lot of people don't realize that this area is within one day's drive of 70 to 80 percent of the population of the United States," he said.

Maples said a lot of people will make Townsend their hub and then take rides on Foothills Parkway, Tail of the Dragon, Cherohala Skyway and all the roads in the Smokies.

He said Tail of the Dragon and Needles Highway Scenic Drive in Custer State Park at Sturgis, S.D., are both world famous and have the reputation of being the two best rides in the U.S.

The Dragon is the 11.1-mile portion of U.S. 129 from Tabcat Creek Bridge to Deals Gap, N.C., which has 318 curves.

The H.O.G. Web site also lists as things to do riding Blue Ridge Parkway and visiting Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

Valley View will also be the location for bonfires and entertainment.

The hotel will be where rides will start, including Sunset Ride, 12 Pack to Go Rides, $25,000 Poker Run, Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie Valley, N.C., field events, bike show and closing ceremonies.

There will be concerts nightly at Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson featuring such bands as Bonepony with The Dirty Guv'nars; Cross Canadian Ragweed with Caddle; and BIG GUN-AC/DC Tribute Band.

Smoky Mountain Harley will also host Dyno Drags and the Chapter Challenge. The dealership will be the start of a parade on June 7,

Maples said other events will draw motorcyclists throughout the year, some with five to 20 reservations at Valley View and at least two other larger events.

Pigs in the Smokies

The Blue Knights Tennessee III Chapter, Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club of Knoxville, will host the 2008 Spring Conference, called Pigs in the Smokies, on May 23-25, Memorial Day weekend.

The Valley View is already booked during that time. Maples estimates 400 to 500 people will attend the event.

The Suzuki Cade Ride is scheduled Aug. 18-23 at Valley View, and is expected to draw 75 to 100 bikers.

Maples said "the motorcyclists are usually expensive bikes of professionals. They don't just come two or three days, they will usually say four or five days. It's good for the whole county. They are using rooms, eating at restaurants and buying items from other businesses."

All the vendors in Townsend, Maryville, Alcoa, Knoxville, Sevierville, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge take advantage of the motorcyclists visiting in the region.

Punkin Center Resort

The 5th Annual Wakin' the Dragon Biker Rally will be held June 6-7 at Punkin Center Motorcycle Resort, which is located on Old Railroad Bed Road at Tallassee. The event will include music, vendors and contests.

The 4th Annual Biker Bash and Party will be held on July 4 weekend with live music.

The 4th Annual Rumble on the Dragon will be held Oct. 17-18

This will include entertainment, vendors, food and drinks.

Oct. 25-30 will be the 4th Annual Haunted Trail.