August is expected to bring up to 1,000 motorcycles to Jefferson City for one night with the Hot Bike Power Tour making it the second stop on a five-day tour.
The tour - a five-day, 1,000 mile tour - will kick off in Joplin on Aug. 16 and head to Jefferson City for one night Aug. 17. Jeff Holt, editor of Hot Bike magazine, said the second annual tour will bring a lot of motorcycles and a lot of fun to Jefferson City.
Holt said Jefferson City was selected as a tour stop because of its scenic downtown and roadways. Holt said they also looked at the population that owns motorcycles in any potential tour stop city.
"I've never been here before, but I love this town," Holt said on his first visit Tuesday. "Being able to close down the street and having the riders being able to ride up and walk around and see the downtown area."
The event will feature live music on a stage set up at the intersection of Madison Street and East High Street, as well as a stunt show by Unknown Industries and bike building competitions featuring 24 top builders from across the country. Holt said the competitions will be judged by anyone attending the event, including spectators not involved in the ride.
"That's going to be a big thing for motorcycle enthusiasts," Holt said.
While the tour features five stops from Joplin to Wisconsin Dells and events at each stop, Holt said it's really about the ride itself. Last year's inaugural tour was started because Holt and others wanted a motorcycle event that focused on the ride and not simply showing the bikes themselves.
"All in all, it's just about the ride," Holt said. "That was the whole thing about this ... it's about riding your bike and having fun."
From Jefferson City, the group will head to Springfield, Ill., ending the trip Aug. 20 in Wisconsin Dells.