State’s largest motorcycle festival to be filmed for TV series
North Carolina’s largest motorcycle festival, Capital City Bikefest, organized again this year by Tobacco Road Harley-Davidson in Raleigh, will be filmed for History Channel’s “ToyMakerz” television series and will include some big changes in its 14th year. The event is Sept. 21-23.
Activities that traditionally took place on Fayetteville St., including the street fair with thrill shows and motorcycle club meet-ups, will move to the Tobacco Road Harley-Davidson dealership. Bikefest’s national custom bike show competition, tattoo festival for charity, and vintage car show will again highlight events at the Raleigh Convention Center.
“For the past 13 years, Capital City Bikefest has attracted motorcyclists and their families from across the Southeast who make downtown Raleigh a unique destination to celebrate motorcycle culture and friendship,” said Mark Hendrix, festival organizer and general manager of Tobacco Road Harley-Davidson, a 2017 Powersports Business Power 50 dealership. “We’re excited to host the History Channel, along with Dave Ankin and his ‘ToyMakerz’ television show, as they film an entire episode dedicated to our community.”
Capital City Bikefest is a southern tradition for attendees who enjoy motorcycles, live music and local culture. Over the years, the event has raised more than $135,000 for charity. “ToyMakerz” filmed at Bikefest 2017 for a segment that highlighted the custom bike show and tattoo festival. The “Rally in Raleigh” episode aired earlier this year on Velocity television network.
Changes this year will move the festival’s live music, food trucks and thrill shows to Tobacco Road Harley-Davidson, Sept. 21-23. Running concurrent, Sept. 22-23, the custom bike show competition and tattoo festival will take place indoors at the Raleigh Convention Center, with a vintage car show outdoors Saturday.
“Capital City Bikefest is attracting builders from across the country to compete in the public bike show competition, plus the Baddest Bagger, Softail Showdown, and Sound-Off competitions. Downtown Raleigh will be filled with exotic motorcycles, vintage cars, and fun surprises for families to enjoy,” said Hendrix. “We’re excited for all the builders competing and for a nation-wide television audience to experience our diverse and enthusiastic motorcycle culture here in Raleigh.”
Admission to the bike show and tattoo festival at the convention center is $10 for the full weekend. Proceeds will be donated to nonprofit charities the USO of N.C., and the U.S. Veterans Corps. All events at the dealership are free.