Molly Hatchet, Blackfoot to perform at Choppers for Children

April 24, 2008 07:55 pm

—
By Dustin Shipman
dshipman@joplinglobe.com
The 2008 Choppers for Children Bike Rally and Musical Festival kicks off today at noon, with several events and performances from local and national touring musicians. The rally will continue all day Saturday and conclude Sunday afternoon.
This is the fourth year for the event, which has so far raised $160,000 for Children’s Miracle Network and been host to thousands of riders, their bikes and music fans throughout the area.
“We have several bands but we started off as a bike rally and that is still our forte,” said Scott Watson, co-coordinator for Choppers for Children. “But we have as many people come out and listen to the music as we do that come out that ride motorcycles.”
Watson said the family-friendly event drew more than 8,000 people from as far away as Texas last year, and he hopes this year’s event is even larger.
Entertainment highlights include concerts by classic rockers Blackfoot and Molly Hatchet, Harley Davidson stunt cycle shows, bike raffles, a poker run, a biker build-off and a bike show.
One of the traditional draws during the Choppers for Children rally is the annual Blessing of the Bikes, which will take place at 9 a.m. Sunday.
“Paul Richardson of Sane Mule Motorcycle Shop will be conducting our Blessing of the Bikes this year with the Christian Motorcycle Association,” Watson said. “That will be a free event.”
Watson said the event will be held one mile south of the Petro Truck Stop in Joplin on Highway 43.
“We stared this out in Neosho but it kind of outgrew it,” he said. “We have been given 55 acres to do this on, and this is the second year we have done it here in this location, and it is just a beautiful place to be.”
Tickets are $20 per person for all three days. Camping is available, but space is limited. For more information, visit www.choppers4children.com.

Schedule
Today
Noon — Gates, vendors open.
3:30 p.m. — Live music.
5 p.m. — Willie and the Po Boys.
6:15 p.m. — Burn-out demonstration.
6:30 p.m. — Diversity.
8 p.m. — Blackfoot.
Saturday
8 a.m. — Gates open.
9 a.m. — Bike show registration begins.
10 a.m. Ben Miller Band, poker run registration.
11 a.m. — Stunt team.
Noon — Biker build-off; Big Smitty.
2 p.m. — Last bike out of poker run.
2:30 p.m. — Battle of the Bikes winners determined.
3:30 p.m. — City Limits.
4 p.m. — Last bike in for poker run; stunt team.
5:15 p.m. — Battle of the Bikes, poker run, build-off winners; burn-out demonstration.
6 p.m. — Curtis Moore Band.
8 p.m. Raffle drawing for custom motorcycle; Molly Hatchet.
Sunday
9 a.m. — Blessing of the Bikes.
10 a.m. — Registration for bike games.
10:30 a.m. — Bike games begin.