It appeared alongside top New Hampshire politicians who showered praise on the event happening this week, which typically draws over 300,000 people to the state. That colorful cross-section of bike-loving humanity is a boon to the state’s economy.
“It’s the camaraderie and the friendship, and it’s a forever thing,” said motorcylist Lewis Leonard, who traveled from Florida for the event.Kayla Bartkowski For The Boston Globe
Since Leonard first attended the rally in 1977, he said he’s been drawn back each year by the riding, the racing, and the people. He believes he’s only missed a handful of years since he started coming.
Get N.H. Morning Report
Advertisement
A weekday newsletter delivering the N.H. news you need to know right to your inbox.
“It’s the camaraderie and the friendship, and it’s a forever thing,” he said. “We’re all from different walks of life, but during the rally, everyone is from the same place.”
Leonard traveled to the event from his home in Daytona Beach, Fla. At 65, he’s retired from a career that also revolved around motorcycles: working as a technician for Harley Davidson. But Leonard said he hasn’t retired from racing motorcycles.
Yes, accidents have taken a toll on his body over the years, he said. “But it’s still worth it.”
Advertisement
A close up view of patches on Rudy Centola’s vest. Centola drove from Massachusetts to take part in the annual Laconia Motorcycle Week.Kayla Bartkowski For The Boston Globe
Outside, on Main Street in downtown Laconia, a couple who identified themselves as Tom and Lisa said they’ve been coming to Laconia Motorcycle Week together since the ′80s. They declined to give their last names.
“We both ride, so it’s fun just to see everybody else,” said Lisa.
It’s less rowdy now than Lisa remembers it used to be. She said she misses the old days. “It’s gotten a little bit boring,” she said. But she still enjoys walking around, checking out all the motorcycles, and people watching.
The event organizers have heard that critique before. Jennifer Anderson, deputy director of the Laconia Motorcycle Week Association, said people are still partying these days, but they’ve relocated the merriment to their overnight accommodations. She said that’s helped reduce drinking and driving, which remains a major safety message state and local officials delivered ahead of the event.
Tom said he started riding when he was 10 years old after his older brother first introduced a bike to the family, to his parent’s dismay.
“My parents were dead set against it,” he said. It took some time, but eventually, he said, they came around to it. As a teenager, Tom said he would come to bike week and camp out with all of his friends.
Advertisement
Lisa started riding a motorcycle after she met Tom. “I didn’t want to be on the back,” she said. “I figured I’d be left home, so either ride or be left behind.”
Don Carey poses for a portrait on his bike at the Laconia Motorcycle Week.Kayla Bartkowski For The Boston
Bike week isn’t for everyone. Some locals steer clear of the city altogether while the event is in full swing. Kristy Lavoie, 45, of Sanbornton, falls into that category.
“We don’t really get involved,” she said, while shopping in Laconia before the event began. “We avoid the area.”
Lavoie works in retail in Tilton, and she said it’s a busy time of year. But she’s not convinced all the traffic is coming from motorcyclists, pointing out that the region is also popular with tourists who are coming to spend time on the lakes during the warmer months.
In the 20 years Lavoie has lived in Sanbornton, she said she’s gotten used to the massive event. And luckily, she said she doesn’t notice more traffic in her hometown as a result of the event.
Advertisement
Motorcycle week is estimated to bring upwards of $100 million in business to the state, according to an economic analysis by the Laconia Motorcycle Week Association. The event runs through Sunday. On Thursday, there is the 31st annual POW/MIA Freedom Ride starting at 5 p.m., as well as a custom bike show, and a tattoo contest, among many other events.
On Friday, there is the annual city of Laconia Bike Show, a motorcycle rodeo, and Belknap County Nursing Home will welcome motorcycle week, inviting riders to meet the residents and show off their bikes.
A full schedule of events is available here.
Deo Schizas sews patches onto a leather jacket at the during this year’s Laconia Motorcycle Week at Weirs Beach. Schizas has spent that past 20 years going to biker rallies all over the country to sell and sew patches onto their jackets.Kayla Bartkowski For The Boston Globe
Amanda Gokee can be reached at amanda.gokee@globe.com. Follow her @amanda_gokee.
Schultz said she “highly respects” Aspell, too, but there was a “dissonance between reality” when eyeing what the public and city employees were earning.
Ward 6 City Council Aislinn Kalob, too, would not be voting for the increase, saying it had been “heavily on my mind since we’ve had our nonpublic sessions,” which lasted about six hours of work. She appreciated Kretovic clearly outlining the job of city manager. But people were frustrated with the city manager, and she saw that in the comments in online forums.
“I do feel, after really digging into this, and learning about his job,” she said, “and thinking toward the future when, eventually, at some point, somebody new will be sitting in that seat, we are the ones who direct policy and he is the one that implements it… there is anger out there that should be directed more toward us.”
Kalob said, too, a room full of firefighters, upset about their contract, also made voting for the wage increase something she could not consider.
Advertisement
Michele Horne of Ward 2 echoed similar concerns to Schultz, saying there was significant “wage disparity” between the public and staff and the city manager. She also agreed with Kalob’s point that previous councils created this contract.
Sunflowers are my absolute FAVORITE flowers. I truly feel like they have magical uplifting abilities. Hence, why I’ve always kept fresh sunflowers in my house, brightening up my kitchen table or even my TV stand.
Obviously, it was a dream of mine to have my maternity photos taken in a sunflower field. They reflect sunshine and exude happiness.
Not to mention, one of my favorite quotes is about sunflowers! “Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It’s what sunflowers do.” Helen Keller
A beautiful reminder to keep an optimistic outlook on life and not dwell on the negative.
Advertisement
So, you can imagine the joy I felt when I learned that New Hampshire had its very own Sunflower Festival at Coppal House Farm in Lee!
Coppal House Farm via FacebookCoppal House Farm via Facebook
About the Sunflower Festival:
During the summer, the farm transforms into a sea of golden blooms, giving visitors the chance to wander through thousands of sunflowers, snap photos, enjoy local food vendors, artisan crafts, listen to live music, and experience one of New Hampshire’s most beautiful summer traditions.
Other unique activities on the itinerary? Sip-n-snip! Guests can enjoy a cocktail or mocktail of their choice and cut their own fresh bouquet of flowers.
Coppal House Farm via FacebookCoppal House Farm via Facebook
Or maybe you’re a yoga fan? You can join a 60-minute sweat session from Lee, New Hampshire yoga instructors right in the heart of the flower field.
And because the farm grows oilseed sunflowers for culinary oil (which they harvest in the fall months), the flowers only stay at their peak for a brief window, making the festival a limited-time experience, according to the festival organizers…
Advertisement
What makes this event even more special is the reason behind it. The festival started as a way to share the beauty of the sunflower fields, but it has grown into something much bigger. Organizers say the event has raised more than $90,000 for Make-A-Wish New Hampshire over the years and now shares a portion of its proceeds with several local nonprofit organizations serving the Seacoast community.
Anyone who knows me knows that paying it forward is something that’s incredibly important to me. It’s right up there with my love of sunflowers because both fill my cup in the best way. So, when I found out this festival celebrates my favorite flower and gives back to the community, I knew I had to share it.
Sunflower Festival Details:
This festival only runs from Saturday, July 25th until Sunday, August 2nd. You can get the full list of activities and more on the Coppal Farm website.
Daily Field Hours
Advertisement
10:00 AM – 6:30 PM (last admission at 6PM because fields close at 6:30) Weekend Tickets (prepurchased online – day before) $12 per person ages 13 & older $10 per person ages 5-12 $10 per person Seniors (65+) & Military 4 yrs & under are always free Weekend Tickets (purchased day of – online or at farm): $16 per person ages 13 & older $14 per person ages 5-12 $14 per person Seniors (65+) & Military 4 yrs & under are always free includes: access to sunflower fields, craft fair, food vending area, tented shade area, picnic area, farm animals, & live music
Weekday Tickets (prepurchased online – day before) $8 per person ages 13 & older $6 per person ages 5-12 $6 per person Seniors (65+) & Military 4 yrs & under are always free
Weekday Tickets (purchased day of – online or at farm) $12 per person ages 13 & older $10 per person ages 5-12 $10 per person Seniors (65+) & Military 4 yrs & under are always free
What tickets include: Access to sunflower fields, food vending area, tented shade area, picnic area, and farm animals
READ MORE: A Classic Fairy Tale Comes To Life At Portsmouth’s Prescott Park This Summer
Advertisement
This festival might just leave you smiling long after you leave the fields!
What Flowers Thrive in New England
See what flowers thrive in New England weather: Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.
Gallery Credit: Logan
14 of the Best New Hampshire Farms Offering Locally Grown Strawberries
14 of the Best New Hampshire Farms Offering PYO Strawberries
Ed. Note: If this was you and you are interested, please email [email protected] so I can put you in touch with OP.
“Dear PoPville,
I was biking home from a doctor appointment a little before noon on Friday, and stopped at a red light on New Hampshire & L st nw. There was a woman across the street who was looking fine in her dark blue (I think they were) scrubs. I might be crazy, but it felt like we kept checking each other out. By the third time,
if we were in a romcom, one of us would have waved. Sorry I didn’t, but if you are reading this and date men, reach out to the Prince if you are interested in that man on the bike. Have a great weekend!”
Ed. Note: If this is you, please email [email protected] so I can put you in touch with OP. PoPville is not affiliated with either party, please proceed with any potential connection at your own risk using caution as you would any online encounter. For those curious about past missed connections, many have been made and when possible I’ll try to update when/if more are made.
