Americade

Americade is a week-long, multibrand, motorcycle rally, for touring motorcycles and touring cruiser motorcycles. It takes place in Lake George village, New York during the first full week of June, attracts over 50,000 people annually, and is billed as the "World's Largest Motorcycle Touring Rally."

Attendees participate in demo rides from all of the major manufacturers, boat cruises, motorcycle judging and group rides (called MiniTours) to various destinations in NY and VT.

Americade also offers a large motorcycle trade show, TourExpo, located in two locations in Lake George; Million Dollar Beach and The Forum.

History

How It Started

May 1983 was the first "cade" in the east coast. Veteran motorcyclist Bill Dutcher, and a small staff, hosted "Aspencade East " in Lake George, NY. The event's headquarters were at Roaring Brook Ranch, where most of the demo rides departed.

The TourExpo tradeshow was held at the Glens Falls Civic Center, approximately 10 miles to the south. This first event drew over 2,000. [cite web|url=http://www.tourexpo.com/data/content/view/1102/213/|title=About Americade|publisher=TourExpo|accessdate=2007-08-05]

The Original Name

Since 1971, there had been an Aspencade touring motorcycle rally in Ruidoso, New Mexico. The name came from an annual civic festival, which celebrated the changing colors of the aspen (birch) trees. Dutcher arranged with Aspencade organizer Til Thompson to use the Aspencade name for the eastern touring rally.

Why Americade?

In 1986, "Aspencade East" became "Americade," because the new name better signified the multibrand national-sized rally it had become. By 1986, total attendance at this event was nearly 10,000, making it the largest touring rally in the motorcycle world.

Americade's Growth

By 1986, the TourExpo tradeshow had been relocated to Lake George village, to keep it closer to the motels and riding activities. Initially located halfway down Beach Road in a large gravel parking lot, in 1994 TourExpo was relocated to the larger, dust-free quarters, which it now occupies at Million Dollar Beach Parking Lot. This facility is owned by the State of New York, from which Americade and TourExpo rent this property.

In 2004 TourExpo expanded the tradeshow to include The Forum, Lake George's newly built convention center. Good thing, because Americade's TourExpo tradeshow needed more space and this second location provided it. Over 60,000 attended that year (although local estimates placed the crowd figure much larger), once again making Americade the world's largest organized multibrand motorcycle convention.

For many years, Americade has been named one of the American Motorcyclist Association's three national rallies (along with the Lone Star Rally in Texas and the Golden Aspen Rally in New Mexico), denoting its size and prestige within U.S. motorcycle rallies. [cite web|url=http://www.ama-cycle.org/roadride/Touring.asp|title=2007 AMA Premier Touring Series|publisher=American Motorcyclist Association|accessdate=2007-08-05]

2007 figures again showed that Americade Week was the biggest week of business for the Lake George Region resort community, and the biggest single boost to the local economy. Local merchants welcome these smiling motorcyclists not only for the economic boost they provide, but also because of the many lasting friendships which have been developed with Americaders from around the world. Americade also works hard to be a Good Neighbor. [cite web|url= http://www.tourexpo.com/data/content/view/1207/1/|publisher=TourExpo|title=Americade—A Good Member of its Host Community|accessdate=2007-08-05]

Americade Staff and Volunteers

Along with 10 full-time, year round employees, over 220 volunteers help staff the event during Americade Week. The volunteer staff assists with numerous hospitality, tour escort, and competition administration duties.

Why Lake George?

Lake George itself is a beautiful 32 mile-long body of drinking-pure water, surrounded by pine-covered mountains. The Village of the same name, located next to I-87, is the southern gateway to the Adirondack Park.

References

External links

* [http://www.americade.org Official Americade web site]