Carolina Motorcycle Rally Shifts To New Bern

The Carolina Harley Davidson Dealers Association annual spring rally may have experienced a change in venue this year, but that's not going to slow down the 5,000 riders expected to attend.

The rally had previously been held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, but conflicted with the much-larger Myrtle Beach rally held every year. So in 2009, organizers decided to move the event to the fairgrounds of New Bern, North Carolina, ENC Today reports.

By all accounts the event was a success, but riders had a bit of trouble adjusting to the dirt and dust at the fairgrounds. So this year, the rally is shifting indoors, moving to the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center and a local Hilton. Best of all, the event will be free.

"We pursued some sponsors and that allowed us not to charge this year," he said. "Everybody, bikers or not, can just come and sight-see and enjoy everything. We wanted to try to bring more of the revenue downtown."

The event promises to be a lot of fun for those in attendance. Vendors from both North and South Carolina will be in attendance with all the latest motorcycle accessories, and Friday is set to feature a stunt show. There are also concert series for Friday and Saturday night, although attendees will have to pay a small fee to get tickets.