We celebrated
this past weekend, as we have every year for the last four
years, at the ABATE Of Iowa Freedom Rally in Algona. This
was “officially” the 22nd annual rally, but, in
fact, was the 23rd. The 1st one was a
party hosted by Dennis Fields, a former State Coordinator of
ABATE, and was held in a gravel pit near Rudd, Iowa. Since
then, this little Soiree has grown by leaps and bounds, this
year welcoming over 11,000 bikes and bikers from more states
than we could count.
Other than the sea of motorcycles and
tents,
the first thing that jumps out at you immediately at this
rally is the organization of the whole thing. This event,
covering just under 200 acres of camping, vendors, bands,
and thousands of bikers in various stages of sobriety and
apparel (or lack thereof), runs like a fine Swiss watch.
ABATE of Iowa, an organization
boasting over 8,000 members in 20 districts across the
state, is the host of this annual rally. They own the land,
previously an elk ranch, and volunteers from the various
districts provide the infrastructure that handles everything
from site preparation that goes on for MONTHS before the
rally, to security, and after event cleanup. Need firewood?
There are carts delivering it. Ice for your drinks? They
deliver it too. Need medical attention? There are EMT’s
standing ready. The KIBOS are plentiful and are cleaned
with GREAT regularity (pardon the pun!) by Koenig Company.
Janet Liming, the ABATE PR person who provided us with
background for this review, is very quick to point out that
without what she calls the “do’er”
members of the districts, the organizational aspects of the
event would be impossible. In addition to the fine work
done by Koenig, she also would like to thank (as would we)
the CMA (Christian Motorcycle Association) who provide free
ice water, soap for the showers (YES this event has HOT
showers for free!!!), moral support and a Sunday Service for
those who wish to worship. We have to say that ABATE
promises greatness at this rally and they deliver.
They have a vendor area that is lined
with a variety of folks providing meals from barbecued ribs
to Greek Cuisine, apparel (tee shirts, leathers etc.),
novelties, bike builders and customizers, artwork, and a
couple of tattoo shops.
The great
bandstand is the backdrop for a number of events from the
bike raffle ( a new Road King Custom) to a WHOPPING 16
bands, featuring names like ROZE, Blackfoot and Mark Farner
(formerly of Grand Funk Railroad).
The fun seems
to never end and includes a tattoo contest, sled pull, bike
show and rodeo etc, etc, etc!!!
We can’t say
enough about this rally, we have never been disappointed
(even in years where we had crappy weather) and this year
was no exception. We have been to Sturgis, Daytona and
DOZENS of other events and the Freedom Rally is still our
favorite. Do yourselves a HUGE favor and visit this annual
rally, you won’t regret it!!! Thank you ABATE, we’ll be
back next year!
This article would be incomplete if I
didn’t mention our little group.
I’d like to say a personal thank you (and the words can’t
begin to express our true feelings here) to Russ, Linda,
Jeff and Heidi.
Russ and Linda and their daughter
Heidi and son-in-law Jeff, started coming to the Freedom
Rally five years ago, just the four of them camped out among
the elk turds and clumps of grass. Each year the group grew
and this year, even with a couple of friends unable to make
the event, consisted of just under 40 of us from Iowa,
Minnesota, North Dakota and Kansas.
These
folks who started this party within a party have welcomed
all of us and are the glue that keeps us together, without
you four, the rally would lose some of its glitter, thank
you and we can’t wait until next year!
WARNING!
Some photos
may not be suitable for viewing and/or offensive to some
viewers. Enter at your own risk!
Click here for more
photos
2006
A.B.A.T.E. of Iowa Freedom Rally
