Market Square set up for thousands of bikers

Despite a heavy rain storm on Thursday, Ironton’s Market Square was set up and ready to start the annual Rally on the River.

“Everything is coming together,” said Valerie Freeman, a member of the Friends of Ironton, the group that puts on the rally.

Vendors set up their wares and fired up grills, a couple of tents were erected, and crews got the main stage ready for some rock and roll.

“The rain has passed, everything seems to be going great,” Freeman said. “The vendors seem pleased.”

She added that since the event has no admission charge this year, they are expecting a lot of people.

“That’s going to let a multitude of people to be able to come,” she said. “So that is going to benefit our vendors greatly and they seem very excited by that.”

The Rally on the River attracts between 10,000-15,000 every year.

Freeman added this year has more vendors, around 25, set up than they have had in the last five years.

“They’re selling everything from food to books to clothing, items for your bike, jewelry,” she said. “There is something for all ages, males and females.”

There are many events taking place this year. At Buffalo Wild Wings at the Ironton Hills Plaza, there will be a car show at 6 p.m. tonight. On Saturday at 4 p.m., there will be the biker games and field events. Then at 6 p.m., there will be the Parade of Heroes.

From 10 a.m.-noon on Saturday, there will be a sign-up at the welcome center for a poker run. It departs from 1305 S. Third St. at 1 p.m.

On Sunday, there will be a biker breakfast at Peddler’s restaurant at 8 a.m. and a Full Throttle church service at 10:30 a.m. at the First Church of the Nazarene at 2318 S. Fourth St.

The rest of the events will take place at the main rally site on Second Street.

This year, there are a multitude of bands, an all female wrestling show, a Whisker War for beards, a bike show, and a stunt guy doing tricks with fire.

Freeman also pointed out that parking for a couple of blocks on Second Street will be for motorcycles only.

“Just to come and see the bikes and the artwork on them is absolutely amazing,” she said. “We encourage everyone to come down this year, it’s a free event. We’ve opened it up for anybody and everybody to come.”