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 where many motorcycle riders gathered in Laughlin, Nevada. It was known as the largest meeting of motorcycles and their riders in the western part of the United States. In 2005, about 70,000 people who loved motorcycles came to this event.
Contents
History of the River Run
How the River Run Started
The Laughlin River Run began in 1983 with 426 people. A Harley-Davidson motorcycle dealer named Dale Marschke thought of the idea. He wanted to create a fun weekend ride for his customers. The event got its name because riders would travel to the Colorado River, which flows through Laughlin. Some riders also crossed the river to Bullhead City, Arizona, or rode along Route 66 to places like Oatman, Arizona and Kingman, Arizona. Riders also traveled to Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
Fun Activities at the Event
The River Run offered many exciting things to do. There were live music concerts and many shops selling motorcycle gear. People could also join a poker run, which is a game where riders collect playing cards at different stops. There were also motorcycle drag races and a bike show to display cool motorcycles.
Where People Stayed
Most people who came to the River Run stayed in the large hotels in Laughlin. In later years, some people also used campsites for their RVs (recreational vehicles).
A Difficult Year
The 2002 event had a serious incident. There was a large fight between different motorcycle groups at Harrah's Laughlin. This event led to some people getting hurt. After this, nine people were arrested.
Why the Event Stopped
In January 2020, news reports said that the people organizing the River Run were not responding to questions. Their website also seemed to be no longer active. The Laughlin Chamber of Commerce, a local business group, removed the event from their calendars. Since 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused the River Run to stop happening.
