By Friday June 14th Laconia Motorcycle Week had reached what was being called critical mass with virtually no place left to park. The final weekend brought record crowds despite previous efforts by some to stop it or prevent portions of it from happening. There are no official attendance numbers available yet. Last year an estimated 350,000 attended and spent millions of dollars. With wet roads and cold weather along with reports from law enforcement agencies prior to the event that they expected violence, it is too early to tell what the effect will be.

With the dampness the bars and beer tents poured a bang up business. There were lines 100 feet long to get into the Camel Tent. There are, as in most joints, free entertainment besides a place to stay dry. Of course the women serving the beer were knockouts as usual. The prices for food and drink seemed on the high side. They could cut us some slack even though pretty women and other forms of entertainment punched up the service. Security was tight with checking ID Cards, and weapons searches at the entrance. At the Camel tent security people were seen carrying handguns.

If the Attorney General, Phil McLaughlin and Commissioner of Safety, Richard Flynn had their way we wouldn't have biker events. They wanted to limit the amount of people allowed to drink at one Time, city wide, to 8,000. With crowds in previous years reaching 350,000, that policy couldn't possibly fly.

Over 351 Vendors were set up in the city, down slightly from the 388 last year. Trains and boats shuttled those looking to avoid the traffic jams into Weirs Beach. It appears that those producing the event are doing everything they can to make it a continued success. Laconia is presently the third largest motorcycle event in the country.

A question I heard many times was, "Who is paying for all the cops?" Cops were recruited from all over, including other states. Feeling so safe and protected, everyone I have spoke to said they were having a great time. ME TOO!!!

I'm off. There's one t-shirt that I've been following all week. Will keep you informed as best I can. HOPE YOU HAVE AS MUCH FUN AS ME.

--ROGUE