41st Annual Redwood Run
The 41st Annual Redwood Run has been fraught with challenges as it finds a new date and venue. This year has been a story of obstacles, changes, lessons and growth... but we’re coming out the other side stronger for it.
With the loss of the coveted Riverview Ranch, and the event permits attached, Kiwanis of the Redwoods and the Redwood Run Support Team began searching for a new venue with the same heart and beauty. We didn’t have to look far, just down the road, with its own Redwood Run history, sits Cooks Valley Campground and the County Line Ranch.
Due to already stressed County agencies, we were forced to abandon our traditional June dates to work inside an already existing permit attached to the new location. With as deep and honored tradition as ours, the date change brought about opposition. The Redwood Run traditionally kicks off the bike rally season, and now we’d be closing it.
Undeterred, the team of passionate volunteers forged ahead, locking in attractions that were new to the event and dialing in entertainment contracts. Just as the lineup was set to be announced, organizers received word that the existing permits would not cover the event as we know it.
Everything was put on hold to meet with planning departments and state agencies, favors called in, first-borns offered up, but alas, the one thing needed was not available - time.
Discouraged, but not broken, the Redwood Run began looking for a new home yet again, one that had already existing event permits for Labor Day Weekend, that would cover the two day event.
Unfortunately, there wasn’t a property within the Southern Humboldt/Northern Mendocino area to be found. In stepped Blue Lake Casino & Hotel. An hour and a half north of the old site, Blue Lake Casino offered up a permitted space large enough, and with the amenities needed, to host the Redwood Run. After careful deliberation, the team made the leap of faith, and moved north for the year, while already planning the traditional Redwood Run’s move home in 2019.
Die hard faithfuls took the move hard. Traditional, old-school rally’s have always been held on private property, remaining self-contained to allow freedom of constraints. This move put the Redwood Run, billed as the “last old-school rally in California”, in unfamiliar and controversial territory. Facing cancellation, the team chose to embrace the change, forging ahead with a new event, Redwood Run - Blue Lake Rally. Both the team and Blue Lake Casino are committed to providing the Redwood Run experience we all know and love, at the new event.
As we enter the home stretch with less than four weeks till the event, things are settling down and smoothing out. The lineup was rolled out via social media outlets this past weekend. Redwood Run - Blue Lake Rally passholders, will be in for an awe-striking experience with globally-recognized Performers and celebrities this Labor Day Holiday weekend. Platinum Vip and Chrome Pass holders will receive early entry to the event on August 31st at 4pm. They will be welcomed on-site to premier camping and a double feature movie night presenting Easy Rider & Werewolves on Wheels, hosted by local movie fanatic & comedian, Evan Vest.
General Admission passholders will be welcomed Saturday, September 1st, gates open at 8 am. Saturday will feature headlining musical act Everlast, the Grammy Award winner, front man for the legendary group House of Pain, whose anthem Jump Around is still used as a stadium-jam staple. His collaboration with Santana, produced the mega hit Put Your Light On. Solo efforts include the critically-acclaimed Whitey Ford Sings the Blues album, featuring hits What It’s Like & Ends.
Sunday, September 2nd features headlining musical act & world renowned celebrity Katey Sagal & the Reluctant Apostles. Katey Sagal is known best for her character portrayals of Gemma in the Sons of Anarchy series & Peggy Bundy in the comedy classic Married with Children series. As a vocalist, she sang backup for Bette Midler early on & went on to support a number of songs featured on the Sons of Anarchy soundtracks, to her full live-band offerings featuring classic rock & soul renditions.
We are also offering up daily attractions featuring the amazing, not-of-this-world Hellzapoppin Circus & Sideshow Revue, gravity-defying aerial assaults from Julian Dusseau’s Motocross Stunt Riders, and the blazing Ghostrider attraction.
The infamous, fan-favorite wet t-shirt contest returns as a fundraiser for local non-profit efforts supporting our community at large, along with traditional Redwood Run activities. Bike games will be hosted daily including the Sunday morning Bike Show, as we celebrate everything on two-wheels. Our local non-profit food booths will continue to serve up the eats, and vendors will sell their wares.
We look forward to celebrating the Redwood Run legacy and the spirit of perseverance at the Redwood Run - Blue Lake Rally. Everyone 21 years or older are welcome. Tickets are available online at redwoodrun.org or through our local ticketing outlets including Blue Lake Casino & Hotel.
Friday, August 31st
4pm - Early arrival check in
4pm - 8pm - Husky Burnette
8pm - Midnight - Movie Night double feature (Easyrider & Werewolf on Wheels) Hosted by comedian Evan Vest
Saturday, September 1st
8 am - Gates Open for all ticket holders
10am - 1pm - Biker Games and stunts
1pm - 1:30pm - Color Guard and National Anthem
1:30 - 3 - Games and Stunt Ramps with Julian Dusseau’s Motocross Stunt Riders
3pm - 5:30pm - DJ
5:30pm - 7pm - Husky Burnette
7pm - 8:30pm - Hellzapoppin Circus & Side Show Revue
8:30 - 10pm - Big B
10pm - 12pm - Everlast
Sunday, September 2nd
8am - 10am - Bike Show
10am - 1pm - Biker Games
12pm - 1pm - Husky Burnette
1pm - 2pm - Wet T-Shirt Contest
2pm - 4pm - Wheelie Burnout - Julian Dusseau’s Motocross Stunt Riders
4pm - 5:30pm - Hellzapoppin Circus & Side Show Revue
5:30pm - 6pm - DJ
8pm - 9:30pm - Denum Jones
9:30pm - 12pm - Katey Segal & The Reluctant Apostles
Biker Games
Saturday 10am
Potato in the hay
Redwood Run plank ride
Got Balls
Handiest
Sunday 10am
Loud pipes
Weenie bite
Slow ride
Water balloon toss
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