I purchased my tickets to this show online. Doing so allows you entrance one hour early, not to mention you avoid lines. I figured this would allow me the opportunity to get great shots of the bikes without people swarming all over the place. Sure enough, when I arrived about a half hour before the show was open to the general public, people were already lined up waiting to get in. Using my top-secret clearance, I double-timed it to the floor and started getting shots while they were ripe for the taking. Although there were plenty of choppers heavy on chrome and flashy paint, I was satisfied with the number of bobbers and flat black paint jobs, which I admit; I am biased towards these days. It was cool to see a good number of Knuckleheads and Panheads in attendance. With 42 different show classes, there's something for everyone here, wherever their tastes in rolling art might lie.

This year marked the first ever "Midwest Biker Builders Challenge". A biker build-off type of event between a couple of talented local builders. It was Mark "Stack" Calhoun and Carl Wallin of Stack's Creative Customs taking on Ron Sullivan of Extreme Custom Choppers. Extreme Custom Choppers built a blue rigid chopper with open primary and right side chain final drive. The bike from Stack's had more of a Pro-Street look. It was red with swing-arm and curved down-tubes. It also was running open primary and right side chain final drive. I'm sure voting was neck and neck because both bikes were worthy of winning. Stay tuned - I'll make sure to pass along word when I find out who our first ever "Midwest Biker Builders" champion is.

The Kennedy High School Kids were in attendance with their class project and let me tell you, this bike kicks-ass! In my opinion, it was one of, if not thee, coolest bike at the event. Those kids did an unbelievable job. At the end of the day, their hard work was rewarded with four awards. I didn't see Kevin Baas around; otherwise I would have introduced myself. I'm sure I'll have other opportunities to BS with him at upcoming summer events.

Leroy-Thompson Choppers, a shop out in Ohio whom I've never heard up until this point, was there with a bike named ’Chupacabra Aherrumbrado’. According to their website, this bike holds 1/2 gallon of fuel in the backbone, another 1/2 gallon in the rear fender, and a 1/2 gallon of oil in the downtube and frame rails. It probably doesn't go to far with that thirsty 124" S&S beast sitting in there, but it looks cool as shit. I wonder how that sucker rides?

Click to see more from Hugo Custom Hawgs

Hugo Custom Hawgs, a shop based out of my own hometown, was there with a fine looking custom softtail they just finished building for our former governor Jesse Ventura - a former rider back in the day. I think it's cool he commissioned a local builder for his project rather than some Discovery Channel Builder that already has enough exposure. Another thing I liked about his bike was that it wasn't some over the top non-ride able theme based piece. This bike looks like something you can ride. Other than a small navy logo on the tank, the bike is a solid dark purple. Also noticeable was the stretched frame with mild rake, long teardrop gas tank, and PM Hustler Wheels. It also sports a high chrome sissy bar and long upswept fishtail exhaust which gives it a retro look.

Some big-name builders in attendance were Vince Doll, Dave Perewitz, and of course Donnie Smith himself. Over my three-hour stay at the event, I noticed two things. The first was that all three builders made themselves available to their fans for autographs and pictures the entire time. I didn't see Donnie or Dave leave their areas once. Every time I walked by there was some kind of interaction between them and their fans. The second thing I noticed is how down to earth these guys are. No big heads here. All appeared to be humbled by their success. Sonny Barger was also on hand greeting people and signing autographs.

In addition to the bike show, there was also a swap meet. With E-bay and other online-sources available, I don't attend swap meets that often, but let me tell you, this one was a monster. If you came to this looking for specific items, chances better than not, I think you would find it. Just walking around the swap meet alone could consume a couple hours.

By the time I left the show early afternoon, maneuvering through the crowd was like maneuvering your bike down Main street Daytona. I don't have attendance figures, but I think it's fair to say this years show was the biggest to date. Besides knowing Kevin Baas and the students won several awards, I don't have a list of winners from all 42 different classes. The results should be posted soon on the official show website. Check it out: http://www.donniesmithbikeshow.com