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News › And the Thunder Rolled Through
Bandera County residents and business owners reflect on the impact 5,000 motorcycles has on the area.
The novelty has worn off. Most full time Banderans, whether residents or business owners, now know what to expect when Thunder in the Hill Country strikes. When thousands of bikers first stormed Bandera, the most merchants hoped for was a good weekend. Now, the twice-yearly event has proven to be a market boom, literally.
Harley Hogs and other two-wheeled tyrants revved their engines as they rumbled through town, making windows rattle and setting off the occasional car alarm. Even residents on the back end of FM 3240 could hear the clamor of motorcycles and music at Mansfield Park, their quiet Hill Country bubble of tranquility involuntarily pierced over the weekend of April 4 - 6.
Bandera City Police Chief James Eigner, who called for random sound readings throughout the weekend, said that the city's three major bar venues went over the 72-decibel limit only once throughout the weekend, and they each lowered the volume when asked. The 11th Street Cowboy Bar was recorded at 79 decibels at 11:35 p.m. on April 5. The Longhorn Saloon was recorded at 75 decibels the evening prior, the Bandera Saloon registered at 73 decibels.
"They were given verbal warnings and they immediately complied with the ordinance," Eigner said.
He added that the bar owners are all aware of the imposed noise limits and do not typically violate them.
City resident and County Treasurer Kay Welch said that while the rally is undeniably loud, there is a plus side.
"I know there are quite a few people who live in town who don't care for the noise," Welch said. "But I suffer with music and the rolling thunder of high school kids all the time. At least this noise brings people who roll through long enough to spend their money. They are mostly decent, professional people. I just refer to this an adult spring break."
Acknowledging the inconvenience Thunder in the Hill Country poses, Bandera City Councilmember Monica Halsey said that several businesses still greatly benefit from the event.
"Traffic was an issue, but it didn't affect me at my house," Halsey said. "There are pros and cons. The bars are packed, as are the restaurants and hotels. I know some people choose to stay home because of the big event. It is strictly a biker weekend, but it's great to have motorcyclists bring business and publicize our town."
Super S Store Manager Paul Schaefer said the grocery store had fantastic business all weekend. He said he miscalculated the demand for import beer and dry ice, but will stock up for the next time.
"I'm all for it," Schaefer said. "We did better than last year."
11th Street Bar Owner James McGroarty also reported record numbers. He said this last bike rally equaled Hunter's Weekend, typically his largest weekend of business for the year. The second largest event, he said, is Celebrate Bandera, followed by Memorial Day. McGroarty estimated an excess of 5,000 visitors passed through the block of 11th St. between Cedar and Cypress Streets, which was closed on Saturday for the cooperative effort of Thunder on 11th Street and the 11th annual Chili Cookoff, sponsored by the Bandera County Boys & Girls Club. He guessed that $1,500 to $2,000 was raised by the youth organization.
Though Thunder is purported to have a tremendous financial impact on the city, thus making the congestion and noise mere sidebars to the main event, not all businesses fared so well.
Gingerbread House Owner Margaret Paradee said she had very few sales over the weekend, and even her regular customers could not get to her. She said that many retail stores and gift shops like hers did equally bad, some with record lows, and she will likely stay closed during the next rally.
"I wouldn't say '[bikers] don't come,' because the businesses that did do well need the business," Paradee said. "But when you're paying three or four employees to stay open and you don't do any business, that's a loss."
Mark Ridosh, owner of Fat Boyz restaurant in the Bandera Village, said business for him over the weekend was lousy.
"It was the worst day since the first day I opened," Ridosh said of the deli shop that is usually packed. "I didn't see a lot of traffic. I guess I didn't have anything to offer them."
Further, the Meals on Wheels fundraising effort that took place Saturday on Main Street was reportedly unsuccessful, generating very little pocket digging from two-wheeled passers by.
"Maybe two bikers even acknowledged us," one sponsor said. "They weren't very generous."
Eight arrests for driving under the influence were made over the weekend, two were local residents, the rest from as far away as Magnolia and Port Neches. All but one of the apprehensions were made by DPS troopers, which Eigner attributes to extra patrols in the area.
"DPS had four cars out here and one helicopter," Eigner said. "Normally, one DPS trooper patrols the area."
EMS Director Cindy Martin said she had extra personnel on duty for the weekend influx. Four motorcycle accidents were reported.
According to Welch, Thunder organizer Mike Murphy reported that this spring festival brought more people in than last year, during which 4,000 people were registered. Murphy paid $3,600 for the use of Mansfield Pak from Wednesday to Sunday morning. Welch said Murphy also hired local law enforcement officers for extra security.
"He uses as much local help as he can and he always leaves the place in the same condition as he found it," Welch said.
Murphy has already reserved the park for late September.
"I get that we want to live in a quiet, sleepy town, but we don't have that on a daily basis," Welch said. "Why not embrace something that will boost the economy?"
Source: The Bandera Bulletin
Posted by editor on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 (22:21:33) (226 reads)
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