Rally to roar into Grants this weekend
Fire and Ice Bike Rally named among top biker events

By Mike Marino
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — The land of fire and ice is getting ready to fire up the festive engine of the area's annual Fire and Ice Bike Rally.

People say the event will attract an estimated 30,000 motorcycle enthusiasts who will come roaring into Grants July 20-22. They will of course bring tourist dollars for motel rooms, food, beverages, and of course, gas. The event is expected to be a tourism driven economic fuel injector for the city.

The Fire and Ice Bike Rally is one of the premier yearly events that is responsible for bringing more than just motorcycle lovers into town. It also attracts the curious from miles around and is a reason for those who have moved away from the Grants area to return for nostalgia and reunions.

"This year we have expanded the number and improved the quality of the vendors who will be setting up at this year's event and we certainly do have some world-caliber featured entertainment this year that includes Foghat that will be appearing at the Budweiser Pavilion," Don Jaramillo, chairman of the Grants Main Street Program that puts together the annual biker event, said.

The group that brought us the song "Slow Ride" will rock the house on Saturday at 9 p.m. for a concert event.

"This event helps us at the Main Street Program generate money and funds to reinvest in the Grants community for a variety of projects around the city including the 10,000 flowers we planted this year along with installing some park benches and other projects to help make Grants attractive not only to the locals but also to visitors to make them want to come back to enjoy what we have to offer," Jarimillo said.

The Fire and Ice Rally is not just a locally popular event.

"The Fire and Ice Bike Rally is featured in Playgirl magazine this year, because one of the columnists chose five of their favorite motorcycle festivals in size and quality and this year we were included in that list, so that should give you an idea of the quality of this great event, especially if you've never attended it in the past," he said.

The Fire and Ice Bike Rally will kick off on Fridayand wrap up Sunday. It will feature a variety of vendors, food, entertainment, rodeo events, poker runs and family fun.

Visitors can also register to win a motorcycle and become an Easy Rider yourself by entering the drawing for the two bike giveaways including a Harley-Davidson Sportster 8803 and a Harley Superglide.

Information: Grants Main Street Program, (505) 285 - 3573.