Hundreds of Bikers Were No Problem at Libertyville Bar, Officials Say
Thursday, May 08, 2008 (02:24:47)

Posted by editor

Organizer of canceled motorcycle event considers legal options against Grayslake .

Libertyville police said Monday the impromptu gathering of hundreds of bikers at a local bar went smoothly after a weekend motorcycle rally was canceled.

"We had no problems," Officer Michael O'Connor said.

The fourth annual Ironhorse Roundup Bike Show, a motorcycle rally and daylong festival, had been planned for Sunday at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake. But Friday afternoon, Grayslake Mayor Timothy Perry canceled the event. He said Illinois State Police and a regional gang task force heard of a planned biker-gang showdown.

Many of the bikers who did not hear of the cancellation showed up anyway and headed to Austin's Saloon in Libertyville, where the rally used to be held before bar owner and rally organizer Mark Khayat tried to move it to the fairgrounds this year. Bikers there said they heard of no such showdown and accused officials of stereotyping.

Khayat said Monday he is weighing his legal options against Grayslake officials. "I want to right some wrongs," he said.

Khayat said more than 100 vendors who had planned to set up at the rally lost thousands in potential merchandise sales because the event had to be moved to his bar. The bikers went to the two-story bar, but there was room for only half a dozen vendors on site.

Khayat said it's too soon for him to decide where he will hold the rally next year.

Source: Chicago Tribune


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