No problems as motorcycle show marks first year in Waukegan

A controversial motorcycle show forced to relocate to Waukegan was proclaimed a success Sunday by Waukegan police and politicians.

Between 6,000 and 8,000 people had attended the Ironhorse Roundup Bike Show by mid-afternoon, and not one attendee had been arrested, police Cmdr. Wayne Walles said.

That statistic wouldn't be all that unusual for a suburban weekend event, but last year's Ironhorse - scheduled for the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake - was canceled at the last minute by village officials who cited fears of violence.

Uniformed police officers were present at Sunday's event, staged outside the Sundance Saloon off Route 120, but no problems were reported, Walles said.

Waukegan Alderman Rafael Rivera, a proponent of the show whose ward includes the Sundance Saloon, said he was very happy with the event.

"It's Grayslake's loss and our gain," he said.

Waukegan spokesman David Motley echoed Rivera's enthusiasm.

"It looks quite amazing," Motley said at the event. "We certainly put out the welcome mat for them."

The show was organized by Austin's Saloon & Eatery, a popular Libertyville that had hosted the event at its location for several years until the aborted move to Grayslake.

It featured music, vendors and food.