Soap Lake hosts Run to the Sun

Posted: Monday, Jul 20, 2009 - 04:06:27 pm PDT
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By Kaci Boyd
Herald staff writer 

Kaci Boyd/Columbia Basin Herald Wally Walker waves to the crowd after performing in the Wall of Death during Soap Lake's annual Run to the Sun Saturday.

SOAP LAKE — Hundreds of motorcycles were on display on the East Beach Park in Soap Lake this weekend during the Run to the Sun.

Event organizer Rob Herron said at least 250 bikes were in the park Saturday. He estimated there were a third more people at this year’s event compared to last year.

“Maybe double, I might be underestimating,” he said.

Vendors selling food, clothing and accessories also filled the park.

Ten-year-old Leeanne Fredrick, of Soap Lake, said her favorite part of the weekend was riding the mechanical bull. Her younger brother, 7-year-old Johnathan, agreed, but added he enjoyed the motorcycles as well.

The event featured the Wall of Death and the Lucky Daredevil Thrillshow.

Entertainers in the Wall of Death perform stunts while riding on the walls of a wooden cylinder.

Mini bike races took place Saturday afternoon.

Kevin Heer won the mini bike drag race and Chad Noah was named the oval track mini bike champion.

The mini bike races can result in a few wrecks, Herron said, but nobody gets seriously injured.

“We just wreck them and smash them,” he said. “It’s so much fun.”

Herron, who was seen much of the weekend said this was his second year organizing the event and he hopes to expand it in the years to come. He wants to make it different than a typical bike rally, he added.

“I wanted to have something that brought out families,” he explained. “I want to entertain people.”

Herron hopes to bring in more well-known bands and added he needs to add more infrastructure, such as rest rooms.

“We’re really taxing this place right now,” he said.

Though he wants to continue expanding the event, Herron said attractions such as the Wall of Death and Lucky Daredevil Thrillshow will always be welcome at the Run to the Sun.

He said stunts in the thrillshow, such as sword swallowing and chain saw juggling, are “amazing.”

“I just love seeing all these people out here,” Herron said.

More photos here.

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