Bike Week

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

Be him a Staty or a Sherriff, I still be he is in better shape then most people realize...

I have said it again and again, its really not the vendors and the same merchandise that are the problem. The event has spread out over the state, there are people that never even come down to the Wiers.... The problem is one of having nice facilities. Putting together a nice set of warehouse buildings in one of the fields that is use for vendors, would help tremendously so that people can get out of the sun or rain and vendors will not be trying to cram everything in under neath temporary shelters... Not to mention these buildings could have other uses attracting more events to the area. Then top that off with a nice permanent stage that could be used for performances, and you would have a top notch facility right at the Weirs... The problem is there is no incentive for the land owners do develop the property.... The term I have often used, is for a convention center to be developed... with open area, some buildings and a stage... Car shows, bike week, boat shows, etc etc could all benefit from such an undertaking... but I don't think the city of Laconia wants that, or at least they are not willing to provide incentives to make an investor want to develop the land.... If I was an investor and had a sizable piece of land that sold out for bike week, and that paid my taxes plus put a few thousand dollars every year in my pocket... I wouldn't be looking to do more either, unless the State or City made it worth my while......

Bottom line the City and State need to make it worth while for investors to develop the weirs back into an area that people want to be... and event organizers want to flock too... until that happens, the Weirs, and bike week will continue to decline.

Absolutely correct. Why build something when you are making more money for a few weeks a year on vacant land. Worry about long term maintenance and lease renewals, etc. Also I am sure many vendors for Bike Week and the Car Shows pay in cash and the income goes unreported.

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Incredible Video - Bike Week Vintage Footage!

Completely unsure if this FaceBook video link will work, but it is incredible footage from the 60’s!



https://www.facebook.com/10000407674...8020516010493/

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by Rattlesnake Gal

Incredible Video - Bike Week Vintage Footage!

Completely unsure if this FaceBook video link will work, but it is incredible footage from the 60’s!

https://www.facebook.com/10000407674...8020516010493/

That video shows that there really hasn't been much change to the Weirs since the 60's. Financially, that model just isn't going to cut it in todays society.

[AC2717]

Originally Posted by Biggd

That video shows that there really hasn't been much change to the Weirs since the 60's. Financially, that model just isn't going to cut it in todays society.

was thinking the same exact thing

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by Biggd

That video shows that there really hasn't been much change to the Weirs since the 60's. Financially, that model just isn't going to cut it in todays society.

Too many risks with uncertain rewards

[jetskier]

The other issue is that the demographics of bike week are in the wrong direction. The millennial interest in motorcycles and the associated culture is much less than that of our generation. We went to the hill climb yesterday (great event) and the crowd was clearly in their 50s, 60s and 70s predominantly. So over time, this is going to be a losing proposition. In addition, there is an opportunity cost in that it does displace some of the normal seasonal revenue.

Redevelopment of the Weirs to be a more contemporary (and a bit more upscale) area would probably be economically desirable. This is what happened with Hampton Beach (although most of it had to be rebuilt due to a fire).

Jetskier

[Hillcountry]

Originally Posted by Rattlesnake Gal

Incredible Video - Bike Week Vintage Footage!

Completely unsure if this FaceBook video link will work, but it is incredible footage from the 60’s!

https://www.facebook.com/10000407674...8020516010493/

HEATHENS!! How terrible we were...