The Cherokee Survivors Motorcycle Rally & Concert, which has a long history dating back to the mid-80s, is held twice a year at the Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds (formerly Ceremonial Grounds) in Cherokee, North Carolina. This event carries on the tradition of southern biking and attracts bikers from all across the United States. Situated on the Cherokee Indian Reservation, it boasts a convenient location near popular attractions such as the Great Smokey Mountains National Park, Blue Ridge Parkway, Cherohala Parkway, and Deals Gap (also known as the dragon’s lair). Attendees can enjoy a three-day swap meet where they can find bike parts, leathers, jewelry, t-shirts, tattoos, music, and food.
Activities at the event include a bike show (if weather permits), bike games, and a highly regarded wet t-shirt contest for Miss Cherokee Survivor. Additionally, there will be the Easyriders tour truck and two concerts featuring national acts. The event will take place regardless of rain or shine, and there is a small fee for attending the three-day event. Let me now recount my recent trip with my husband, specifically focusing on the picturesque route we took to reach Cherokee, North Carolina. Our journey led us through Ellijay and Blue Ridge.
We pass through the Gorge where we typically pause to observe people in canoes and rafts navigate the river. Occasionally, we witness rafts or canoes capsizing while observing from our stationary point. After leaving the Gorge, we continue our journey through Bryson City towards our accommodation for this year, Two Rivers Lodge. Its name originates from the fact that two rivers converge behind the lodge. Although not extravagant, the lodge is tranquil and includes a small kitchenette. In the backyard, there is a cozy fire pit with chairs and picnic tables where visitors can unwind while enjoying the soothing sound of the river’s flow.
You can fish and bring small pets at the rally site, located about five miles away. The Cherokee Survivors Motorcycle Rally ; Concert took place on April 23, 24, 25, 2010. On the first day, we paid the entrance fee and purchased T-shirts. Friday night included two concerts featuring Big Engine and Molly Hatchet. My husband captured photos of the band and singers at the front of the stage. The following day, we observed the events at the fairgrounds.
At the rally, there were multiple thrilling events. One of these was the Slow Race, in which participants rode their motorcycles at an incredibly slow pace without touching the ground with their feet. The objective was to be the slowest rider. Another exciting competition was the Barrel Roll, where riders skillfully maneuvered their motorcycles while pushing a barrel using their front tire. The first rider to successfully cross the finish line with the barrel emerged as the winner. Lastly, we enjoyed watching the entertaining Balloon Toss game, usually involving a male and female pair. In this game, balloons filled with water were thrown into the air by the female rider and caught on the other side of a pole without bursting.
Starting with a single balloon, participants advance to catching two, then three balloons, and so on. The victor is the individual who successfully tosses and catches the highest number of balloons without bursting them. Additionally, we observed a contest called Weenie Bite where two riders, usually one male and one female, ride under a hot dog weenie hanging from a mustard-coated string. The female contestant either stands on the motorcycle’s rear pegs or positions herself with one knee on the seat in an effort to consume as much of the hot dog weenie as she can.
Whoever gets the largest portion of the hot dog sausage will be declared the winner. We observed a game known as Potato in Hay Stack. In this game, two riders, typically a man and woman, ride in circles while an official hides one potato less than the number of contestants in a stack of hay. When the official gives the signal to begin, the female participants jump off the motorcycles into the stack of hay. The participant who emerges with a potato advances to the next round, while the one who doesn’t find a potato is eliminated. With each elimination, the officials remove one potato.
The winner is the one who finds the last potato. We observed an activity called Egg Carry, in which a pair of riders (typically a male and a female) participate. The female holds a spoon with an egg in her mouth, while the male drives a motorcycle to the opposite end of the track. Afterwards, the female dismounts and walks back as quickly as possible without dropping the egg. The first person to return without breaking the egg is the champion. Additionally, there was a contest called Miss Cherokee, where women perform on stage while someone pours water on them.
During the event, various women choose to remove their tops while others opt to wear bathing suits on stage. The participant who receives the loudest applause emerges as the winner. While the event was ongoing, it suddenly started raining, leading us to leave and return to our motel before its conclusion. Despite a scheduled concert featuring Big Engine and Jackyl later that night, we decided not to attend, resulting in us missing out on the concert.
I have shared details of our experience in Cherokee – our stay at the Two Rivers Lodge and the events and concerts we attended. Despite not taking vacations frequently, this trip holds a special significance as it is usually the only time we venture away. Excitingly, we have already planned to return in September.
