Axis Community Health Motorcycle Festival Promises Fun for Tri-Valley Harley Fans

By Hacienda Network Staff Writer

Thanks to the popularity of events like the Goodguys events held at the Alameda County Fairgrounds, everyone is familiar with the idea of a car show. Ever wonder what a motorcycle show would look like? Fans of two-wheeled machines of chrome and steel will get to find out when they attend the first annual Axis Community Health Motorcycle Festival, a community event scheduled for May 21 in Livermore.

"We thought it would be interesting for a lot of folks considering how much you see motorcycles on TV these days," says Henry Uyehara, director of behavioral health at Axis and the event's coordinator. "It also gives us a chance to raise community awareness about Axis Community Health and the services we provide."

The festival will feature a motorcycle show featuring restored and custom bikes, all of which will feature the V-twin engines made famous by Harley-Davidson. "There will be judging for those who enter and trophies and other prizes will be handed out, too," says Uyehara. "We hope to have some other custom bikes on display as well."

Interestingly enough, this will not be the first motorcycle event to take place in Livermore. "When we started looking into the idea of putting on the event, our research turned up some photos of a motorcycle race from Oakland to Livermore that took place in 1911," he says. Uyehara says the photos show that Harleys were popular back then as well.

May's event will also include delicious food, a beer and wine garden, a family-friendly kids' area, motorcycle-related vendors, and more. Uyehara is particularly enthusiastic about a raffle that will be held as part of the event.

"We will be selling a maximum of 1,000 raffle tickets for $20 each and the winner gets to choose between four different dream vacations," he says. "We have a seven-day Carnival Cruise with a luxury suite, a seven-night Hawaiian getaway, a family adventure to Disneyland or Disneyworld, or a trip to Sturgis, South Dakota, for the town's famous motorcycle rally."

Information on the event, including forms for exhibitors, vendors, and sponsors, is available on the web at www.axishealth.org. "We have a number of sponsorship opportunities available," adds Uyehara.

Proceeds from the event go to support Axis Community Health, which offers medical, mental health, substance abuse and health education services to all residents of the Tri-Valley. A licensed non-profit, Axis serves over 20,000 community members annually through direct services as well as school- and community-based education, prevention and treatment programs.

For more information on either Axis or the Motorcycle Festival, contact Henry Uyehara at (925) 201-6010 or e-mail huyehara@axishealth.org.

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