LIMESTONE, Maine – Despite a late-stage venue switch, organizers of Spud Speedway’s first BikeBowl still see potential in growing the motorcycle-themed events.
Last week, speedway co-owners Jim Gamage and Troy Haney moved most of the BikeBowl to the arch hangar at Loring Commerce Center to avoid predicted rainy weather. Heavy rain moved in Friday evening but held off Saturday.
Gamage estimated that around 200 showed up Friday evening to kick off the Battle of the Bands and Food Truck Face-Off, with Saturday’s attendees inching closer to 600.
The change in venue and uncertain weather likely deterred some folks but those who attended found the arch hangar to be a unique experience, Gamage noted.
“People loved the AC/DC tribute band [AD/HD, who played Saturday night] and loved having everything inside the arch hangar,” Gamage said. “Loring Development Authority was great to work with and we would 100 percent want more events there.”
Of the seven local bands who played, The Echo won the $500 People’s Choice Award.
In the Food Truck Face-Off, The Maple Moose won the $1,000 first-place prize, while Mami’s Spanish Kitchen got $500 for second place and Mimi’s Smashing Food Truck snagged $250 for third place. The Food Dudes won a $500 People’s Choice.
Early Saturday afternoon, Clarence Rider and Romana Conrad of Island Falls enjoyed Mexican fare from Nacho Mama’s food truck inside the arch hangar’s food court.
“The speedway [location] would have been nice, but it’s cool to see the [Loring] Air Force base because I’ve never been here,” Rider said.
Though the threat of rain canceled an outdoor stunt show, motorcyclists still showed up. Outside the hangar, many bikes were lined up Saturday afternoon, including Terry Theriault’s 2014 Harley Ultra Classic.
Theriault, a Caribou native, rode his bike from southern New Hampshire to attend the BikeBowl.
“It’s pretty exciting and nice to see people out and about [at the hangar],” Theriault said.
Thirty people took part in the Brian’s Ride Cancer Fund motorcycle trip from Spud Speedway to the Four Corners Park in Madawaska and America’s First Mile in Fort Kent Sunday.
