No show, but 1,000 come out
The rock bands and vendors were absent, as were the majority of the 40,000 motorcycle enthusiasts expected, but area bikers didn't let controversy stand in their way of a good time Sunday.
About 1,000 bikers packed the parking lot of Austin's Saloon & Eatery in Libertyville to show their support for owner Mark Khayat and the annual Ironhorse Roundup Bike Show that was abruptly canceled Friday.
"It's sad and it's wrong, but what are you going to do?" said Mino Mackie of Round Lake. "Bikers are not gang-bangers; we're doctors and lawyers and we come from all walks of life."
Austin's has sponsored the bike show since 2005 and moved it to the Grayslake fairgrounds this year because of its growth. Grayslake officials canceled the event late Friday afternoon, citing safety concerns.
Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran said the Illinois State Police's Statewide Terrorism and Intelligence Center received information that members of the Outlaws motorcycle club would be in attendance and warned Grayslake officials, who have been mum since the cancellation.
"You know, a little information would have gone a long way, but I didn't get anything," Khayat said. "The Outlaws are at Dominick's, the Outlaws are at Great America. They are everywhere."
The Outlaws have been identified by federal authorities as an international criminal organization associated with drug dealing and homicides, Curran said.
Grayslake and Libertyville police said Sunday afternoon they hadn't received any reports of problems at the fairgrounds or at Austin's.
Khayat figures he has lost about $150,000 on the event, but said he really feels bad for the vendors who came from across the country to participate in the event.
One of the vendors is Patrice Zahari of San Diego.
Zahari, with Great Vacation Destination, didn't find out the event was canceled until she checked her voice mail Saturday while sitting in an airplane on the runway waiting for her flight to take off for Chicago.
"This trip has easily cost me $2,000, not to mention the $10,000 to $15,000 revenue I lost," Zahari said. "I'm trying to have a good attitude but can't understand this. I work NASCAR, the PGA, everything and the bike industry is the safest, most caring group of people I've ever met."