MountainFest - What a Blast!

August 2, 2011: Sunday ended MountainFest 2011. It was a great festival with something for everyone. Ted Nugent, Montgomery Gentry, helicopter rides, daredevil exhibitions, food…. And the piece de resistance – the Vintage Motorcycle Show. This year the Vintage Show had the entire building – wide aisles, larger and better displays, and MORE BIKES!!!Classic-Cycle-Art had an “open-wing” arrangement this year. The 1952 Vincent Black Lightning owned by Gene Brown of Colorado was displayed in our display and positioned so looking across this marvelous motorcycle, one saw the painting of it that was done by our own John Panek. A very special event occurred on Friday evening. By 5 P.M. many of the vintage motorcycle exhibitors had gathered for the “unveiling” of the painting. The painting had been hung with a black satin cloth over it so no one - even Gene Brown - would see it before it was unveiled. Seeing the gathering, many people attending the show also joined to see what it was all about. A video camera was set up and photographers, including the official photographer for the Vintage Show were there.Then, with Betty Carver, West Virginia Tourism Commissioner, on one side of the painting and Gene Brown, owner of the painting he had yet to see on the other, the black satin drape covering the painting was lifted and dropped to the floor to a rousing round of applause. Everyone watched as Gene showed Betty details in the painting.There is a great display at MountainFest of military vehicles and equipment, including an ambulance and several military motorcycles. In the Classic-Cycle-Art display is a painting of General George Ogden’s motorcycle that is in the military exhibit along with one that belongs to his wife, Nancy.This year, the Cannonball Run was honored. This motorcycle race/run consisted of motorcycles made 1915 or earlier – yes, 1915 were the NEWEST motorcycles in this event – from Kitty Hawk, North Carolina to Los Angeles, California! Three of those motorcycles were displayed next to us. There were motorcycles of all eras plus other memorabilia displayed from all over the Country – the best of the best comes to MountainFest. Sunday was the vintage races. The 1915 Indian from the Cannonball – all 3 from that display raced – found a curb as he passed another motorcycle and took a spill. He scraped his knee and had a bit of other minor damage to his body (he must be sore right now) but he was relieved to discover no damage to the Indian.  When these folks race, they are serious! There was even a motorcycle with sidecar race!In 2009 these six gentlemen came to MountainFest fom Ohio - the "baby" of the goup was 67 and the "oldster" was 88. ALL were riding their own motorcycles.        If you have never been to MountainFest, put it on your calendar, the last weekend in July 2012 (Thursday thru Sunday). This event gets bigger and better every year!