Laughlin River Run facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Laughlin River Run |
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|---|---|
| Genre | Motorcycle rally |
| Dates | Last weekend in April |
| Location(s) | Laughlin, Nevada, U.S. |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Previous event | April 25–29, 2019 |
| Next event | TBA, deferred from 2020 |
| Attendance | 70,000 (2005) |
The Laughlin River Run was a big yearly event for motorcycles held in Laughlin, Nevada. It was known as the largest gathering of bikes and bikers in the Western United States. In 2005, about 70,000 motorcycle fans came to enjoy the event.
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What Was the Laughlin River Run?
The Laughlin River Run was a special event where many people who love motorcycles would gather. It was a chance for them to ride their bikes, meet other riders, and enjoy different activities. The event took place every year in Laughlin, Nevada, a town right next to the Colorado River.
Where Did Riders Go?
The name "River Run" comes from the fact that riders would travel to the Colorado River. Many riders would also cross the river to Bullhead City, Arizona. Some would even take rides along historic U.S. Route 66 to towns like Oatman, Arizona and Kingman, Arizona. Other popular destinations included Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
History of the River Run
The very first Laughlin River Run happened in 1983. Only 426 people participated back then. A Harley-Davidson dealer named Dale Marschke came up with the idea. He wanted to create a fun weekend ride for his customers.
Fun Activities at the Event
Over the years, the River Run grew and offered many exciting things to do.
- There were live concerts with music for everyone to enjoy.
- Many vendors would set up booths, selling all kinds of motorcycle gear and accessories.
- A "poker run" was a popular activity, where riders would stop at different places to collect playing cards.
- There were also drag races, where motorcycles would race against each other.
- A bike show allowed riders to show off their custom and cool motorcycles.
- The event also included charity activities, helping good causes.
Where People Stayed
Most people who came to the River Run stayed in the large hotels in Laughlin. In later years, campsites were also used for people with RVs (recreational vehicles).
Why the Event Stopped
The Laughlin River Run faced some challenges over time. In 2002, there was an incident at Harrah's Laughlin that caused problems for the event.
Later, in January 2020, news reports said that the people organizing the event were not responding to questions. Their website also seemed to be no longer active. The Laughlin Chamber of Commerce removed the event from their calendars. After that, the COVID-19 pandemic caused the River Run to be put on hold. It has not returned since.
