By Zach Hagadone
Reader Staff
Sandpoint will welcome a brand-new downtown event with the Sandpoint Showdown, which will fill the streets with a multi-day motorcycle rally drawing riders from near and far.
Set for Friday, Sept. 26-Sunday, Sept. 28, the main events will take place Saturday, Sept. 27, including the LFG 1904 Slow Bike Games — in which “racers” test their skill and precision in a competition to be the last one over the finish line — as well as the Shifter Crew Bike Show featuring custom and classic rides, and more biker games from LoSide.
Bikes will be located on Cedar Street, First and Second avenues, and Main Street, with gates open at 9 a.m. Following an opening prayer and performance of the national anthem at 10 a.m., bike blessings will take place from 10:30-11:30 a.m. with bike show registration from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. ($20 day-of registration).
Meanwhile, the LoSide and LFG 1904 games will begin at 11 a.m. and continue throughout the day. The J Mosley Band will provide live music in front of the Cedar Street Bridge off and on from 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m., while a DJ will be set up on Second Avenue.
The event is free to attend, though registration fees for the bike show and games cost $20, and VIP parking on First Avenue and an event T-shirt are available with a $35 pre-registration at sandpointshowdown.com.
In partnership with nationally recognized names in the motorcycle community, the event is sponsored by Sargent Law Firm, a personal injury firm with a specialty in motorcycle law serving clients in California and Idaho; Lone Wolf Harley-Davidson in Spokane Valley, Wash.; Gotcha Covered boat covers in Bottle Bay; Northwest Autobody in Sandpoint; HellBent LFG; and more.
Amber Jones, of Jones Glass in Ponderay, is organizing the inaugural event, which will benefit local nonprofit Creations for Sandpoint, which offers community art programs on the Cedar Street Bridge.
Jones told the Reader that her family moved to Ponderay three years ago looking for a “simpler lifestyle” than in Southern California, where they own Josie’s Hideout Saloon — a motorcycle destination in the backcountry of San Diego. Almost immediately after arriving, she started contemplating a motorcycle rally during the area’s shoulder season.
“It took about three years to percolate,” she said, and decided to make it happen after connecting with Creations founder Shery Meekings, who she met through a friendship between their kids.
“It’s literally being done by myself and two volunteers from Creations,” Jones said, while noting that the community has “jumped right in” with grassroots help in spreading the word.
“The motorcycle community has stepped up and welcomed the event with open arms and amazing help and can-do attitude,” she added. “Like Dennis [McIntire], with Bestway Tree Service bringing in cranes for our American flags and the Marine Corp League for color guards. We will have bike blessings, vendors and more. We are relying on the downtown merchants to play a big part in food and drinks, and acting as vendors and part of the festivities.”
Jones is hoping for between 500 and 1,000 participants for the first three-day Sandpoint Showdown, including “some of the motorcycle world’s top talent.”
In addition to the games and bike show, there will be a bike raffle hosted by Lone Wolf Harley-Davidson, T-shirt giveaways and swag from Sargent Law Firm, a range of motorcycle vendors and a self-guided tour with maps designed by local riders, giving participants the opportunity to further explore the area.
“We hope to positively impact the local economy and make it a local community event while welcoming riders from all over,” Jones said.
