Hollister - Thousands thundered into Hollister Saturday on their Harley-Davidsons despite the City Council's decision to cancel this year's motorcycle invasion.
Leather and blue denim were in high fashion during the three-day weekend as bikers converged on the city's main drag for food, fun and $4 beers. Although official numbers are not yet available, locals estimated less than 10,000 motorcyclists roared into town for the unofficial rally, not even half of the estimated 35,000 that came each day during the official Hollister Independence Rally in 2005.
The Hollister City Council's 3-2 vote in February to cancel this year's rally didn't stop an estimated 500 Boozefighters from celebrating the 60th anniversary of their motorcycle club. The Boozefighters, a club famous for its part in the 1947 Hollister invasion, gathered at local hotels and camped out at Bolado Park in nearby Tres Pinos.
The 1947 invasion, which was dubbed the "worst 40 hours" in the city's history after 3,000 bikers ran amok and turned Hollister's main drag into a combination drag strip and beer bottle target range, was the inspiration for the 1953 cult classic "The Wild One," starring Marlon Brando.
"I wouldn't have missed this for anything," said one Boozefighter, known only as Ndn (pronounced "Indian"). "This is our first time in Hollister and we had a blast."
Some bikers came to Hollister to continue with motorcycle club traditions of invading the city each year. Others came just to see what an unofficial rally would be like.
While many bikers had a good time, not everyone was pleased with the reception. Hollister Mayor Robert Scattini said he talked to more than a dozen bikers frustrated by overzealous police.
"I was very disappointed. I got more than 30 complaints about the police from people who were very angry," he said. "If they wanted to make people feel unwelcome in Hollister this weekend, they did a good job."
Law enforcement officers, many borrowed on a volunteer basis from neighboring jurisdictions, made their presence felt throughout the weekend. One pick-up truck carrying a sign that read "Police Rally" made light of what some considered to be overpolicing. Officers patrolled city streets on horseback, motorcycle and foot, and at least two police helicopters were spotted flying above Hollister, San Juan Bautista and Tres Pinos.
Councilwoman Monica Johnson said that while the large number of law enforcement officers may have seemed like "overkill," it was necessary.
"We had to plan for the worst-case scenario. We didn't know how many people were going to come," she said. "I'm thankful that people came to town and behaved."
The three council members who voted against the rally this year cited financial concerns after being stuck with a $250,000 public safety tab in 2005. Johnson said initial reports showed the city had stayed "well within" its $150,000 budget for rally expenses this year.
"I'm just glad we didn't have another $250,000 public safety bill," she said.
During the weekend, 62 people were arrested, said San Benito County Jail Lt. Edward Escamillia. Of the 62 booked into the jail, 19 were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, seven for being drunk in public, two for gun charges and one for indecent exposure. Other arrests included drug possession and resisting a police officer, Escamillia said. California Highway Patrol officers were responsible for 30 of the 62 arrests. Local police, Sheriff's deputies and Probation agents made the other 32 arrests. In 2005, during the official city-sanctioned rally that drew more than 120,000 people, 90 people were arrested. In 1947, during the legendary "Battle of Hollister," 50 people were arrested.
San Benito County Sheriff Curtis Hill said this year's rally went smoothly from a public safety perspective. He said that while 62 people were arrested, many of those arrests were unrelated to the rally itself. Hill also said there were no serious threats to public safety during the canceled event.
"I thought the (Hollister) Police Department did a really good job," Hill said. "There wasn't a single traffic accident."
One motorcyclist was killed in a traffic accident in 2005 and another in 2004. Both happened during busy rally weekends.
"The fact that their were no accidents this year can be directly attributed to the CHP," Hill said at around noon on Tuesday. Later in the afternoon there was a minor accident involving a motorcycle on San Benito Street. At least two people were taken to the hospital with moderate injuries.
Bikers thronged to local taverns, downtown T-shirt vendors and eateries, but many business owners reported that sales were down compared to previous years.
"We had a quarter of what we had last year," said Ignacio Velazquez, owner of the Vault Restaurant on San Benito Street. "Yeah, it's a busy weekend and if it was like this every weekend, business would be great. But it's not like this every weekend, so this is our only shot at making money."
Scattini and at least two other private groups have said they will start making plans this week for next year's invasion.
Brett Rowland covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or browland@freelancenews.com.
Brett Rowland Brett Rowland is city editor for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 332 or browland@freelancenews.com
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