Iron Horse motorcycle rally back in Libertyville

It has been a circuitous route, but a gathering of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts will be back in Libertyville this year.

After a stop in Waukegan and an unexpected cancellation, the annual Iron Horse Roundup will roll into town from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 2.

"We just wanted to come back," said organizer Mark Khayat, proprietor of Austin's Saloon & Eatery. "Libertyville is our home base and with the administration change, they (elected village officials) welcomed us back."

Village officials depict the daylong gathering that features live music, hundreds of vendors and activities such as freestyle motocross as an opportunity to showcase the Libertyville Sports Complex at Route 45 and Peterson Road as a multipurpose venue.

"It's just another event to promote the Sports Complex," Mayor Terry Weppler said.

For its first few years, the event, which attracted 10,000 or more visitors for a day of music and other activities, was held in Austin's parking lot on Peterson Road (Route 137) west of Milwaukee Avenue. While police reported no problems, the event had grown to the point that traffic control was needed for the state highway.

"We clogged up the area so bad, it wasn't fair to our neighbors," Khayat said. "I would say we've outgrown it."

In 2008, Khayat inked a deal at the former Lake County Fairgrounds site in Grayslake. But two days before the event, village officials canceled the permit while citing safety concerns as information provided to Grayslake authorities indicated members of a motorcycle club, identified as an international criminal organization, planned to attend.

That led Khayat last year to the Sundance Saloon in Waukegan, where about 14,000 attended, he said. A Libertyville booster and member of the village's marketing committee, Khayat this year wanted to bring the event back to town.

Last November, he worked with the village to bring the first concert to be held at the Sports Complex, with country star Dierks Bentley and pop rock singer Michelle Branch.

"He's a very good promoter and plans well," Weppler said.

The village is looking for ways to boost revenue at the village-owned complex, which has not performed to expectations since it opened in 2002.

Khayat said he originally envisioned a two-day event at the Sports Complex, but expense was a factor.

"It got a little bit cost-prohibitive of what we can do there," he said.

Musical acts include the Jimmie Van Zant, Motley Crue singer Vince Neil, Metallica tribute band Blackened and FNR.

The event also features a bike rally, on-site blessings, the Budweiser Clydesdales and the mobile unit of the Full Throttle Saloon of Sturgis, S.D.

Visit www.austinsaloon.com or call (847) 549-1972.