Rain didn't dent Fire & Ice
People seeking shelter flood local businesses

Art Roland of Albuquerque laughs and smokes a cigarette while trying to keep himself dry inside a port-a-potty as a large rain storm pounds the 7th Annual Fire and Ice Bike Rally on Saturday afternoon in Grants. [Photo by Matt Hinshaw/Independent]

By Mike Marino
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — The torrential rains Saturday didn't wash out the weekend cash flow for many local businesses during the Fire and Ice Bike Rally.

Vendors set up in the park were impacted the most by the downpours, but local stores reported some unique benefits from the rain. Motels were booked well in advance of the event with many paid through Sunday, so there was no loss of revenue for them. Restaurants also report business was up during the rains. Wal-Mart officials reported a spurt in the sales of umbrellas thanks to the deluge and next year plans to have a larger supply available

Liquor stores also fared well and rains didn't kill the thirst for beer of many of event participants.

"We actually did a little better in sales than we did last year and when the rain started, people kept coming into the store to stock up anyway," said Bill Baughman, manager of Town and Country Liquor. "This year the rally was really put together well and from that standpoint was one of the best I've seen. They did a great job and I can't wait until next year's rally," he said.

Kathy Gonzales of the Mainstreet Program said this year's rally was bigger and better than ever.

"We don't have all the statistics in yet and won't until early next week; but we're estimating that there were 20,000 bikers in town for the event. We had more vendors this year and lots of food, too, and think it was our most successful event yet." The evening's entertainment by Foghat was rained out but the legendary group asked for a raincheck to return again next year.

"They said they had been hearing about this rally for some time and really wanted to be a part of it and when they came here they had a great time and said it was an excellent event. They couldn't perform the concert for electrical and storm reasons, of course, but they did ask if they could come back again next year to be a part of the rally," she said.

Friday overall was the biggest day of the event and Saturday was well on its way to topping it until rains racing through the area put a dent in the overall activities, but most participants took it in stride and tried to make the best of a soggy situation.