A group of motorcycle enthusiasts who organised a low-key get-together near Alexandra in 1985 never dreamed it would expand into a rally which is still going strong 30 years later.
The first one attracted about 30 riders and this weekend, about 1500 people are expected to make a beeline for the 30th Vincent County rally, organised by Bronz Otago. A farm paddock by the Manuherikia River at Galloway, near Alexandra, has been the venue for 28 years, after the rally quickly outgrew its first location - Fraser Domain, at Earnscleugh.
''When we started out, we were just a group of young people who thought it would be nice to run a summer rally, around Waitangi Day. The only rally in Otago then was the Brass Monkey [at Oturehua, in June], '' Bronz Otago president Mary Storey said yesterday.
''Now it's grown into this huge event and a few of the original ones are still involved ... a bit older and wrinklier, maybe with less hair, or hair of a bit different colour than when we started.''
The organisers celebrated the milestone at a function in Dunedin in July, ''with the old clan and new clan all getting together over two nights'', she said. There were six people who had attended all 29 previous rallies and might reach the 30-mark.
''We won't know until they rock on up to register, how many have attended all 30 but there's six who are eligible, all from Dunedin,'' Ms Storey said. This year will be her 29th rally. The event was now attracting the second generation of some of the early rally-goers, she said. Bikers travelled from all over the country to camp on the site for the weekend, staying for up to two nights.
''It's an unusual rally, in that it's in the middle of a paddock and we have to bring everything in. There are no facilities here, so we bring in generators, toilets, water, sound systems, a stage, etc.
''It's very much a get-together by like-minded people and a renewal of friendships each year - it's just like a big family. Those who come along are aged from toddlers through to people in their 80s.''
The bikers were grateful to the land owners and to all the people behind the scenes who volunteered their time, she said.
''The support by local groups and businesses is always phenomenal and we're almost guaranteed fine weather every year as well, which is a bonus.''
Proceeds from the event will be given to the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust. The gate opened yesterday at noon and by 9.30am tomorrow, the rally goers would have moved on and the site would be empty, she said.
