Muskegon motorcycle fest to expand to include former track

MUSKEGON, Mich. (AP) - One of the fastest-growing motorcycle festivals in the country is about to grow a lot more.

Organizers of the widely-popular Muskegon Bike Time have announced plans to significantly expand the festival for the 2015 event scheduled to take place July 16-19.

The new plans will utilize 90 acres of the area formerly known as Great Lakes Downs, in addition to Western Avenue in downtown Muskegon where it has been held its previous eight years in existence.

"The expansion is in response to our visitors' requests and the long-term sustainability of Bike Time," Bike Time Board Chairman Clyde Whitehouse told The Muskegon Chronicle ( http://bit.ly/1DprUe7 ). "This new and exciting venue will allow Bike Time to grow beyond its current physical restraints, yet retain the downtown experience."

More than 120,000 people and 75,000 motorcycles were present at the 2014 event, which brought an estimated $30 million into the community, according to Whitehouse.

The new property, which is owned by the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, will feature new attractions that would have been impossible to hold in downtown Muskegon.

Among them are motocross races, X-Games-like motorcycle stunt shows, expanded vendor and food options, and more. The new venue will also be a liquor-controlled area, which means visitors can carry alcohol anywhere on the festival grounds. Concerts featuring national acts will take place under extravagant tented areas each night.

The venue will also feature plenty of parking for vehicles and motorcycles and can easily hold more than 20,000 people a day, Whitehouse said. Organizers described the new venue being similar to Sturgis' Buffalo Chip, but perhaps more "upscale" since it will all take place on an excess of 900,000-square feet of pavement rather than dirt.

"When you get in there, there will be enough of a 'wow factor' for people to get on their phones and get people out there," Bike Time Board Treasurer Tim Lipan said.

As of now, the plan is to keep the downtown festival layout the same as it was in 2014. Any changes will depend on the potential development of properties in downtown Muskegon that were previously used for beer tent locations.

Organizers continue to have a cooperative and open relationship with Muskegon City Manager Frank Peterson and Muskegon Director of Public Safety Jeff Lewis, Whitehouse said.

The entire festival will have a budget of more than half a million dollars. The new venture will cost about $100,000 and will be paid through sponsorships, vendors and revenue from gate fees and beverage sales, Whitehouse said.

The venue will also allow Bike Time to expand as necessary in the future since the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians owns an additional 143 acres next to the festival grounds.

The entire 238-acre space includes 1.5 miles of I-96 frontage. The tribe acquired the land for a total of $13.5 million in 2008.

Its intention is to build a casino on 40 to 60 acres of the property, but Larry Romanelli, tribal ogema for the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, said a Bike Time venue is also ideal for the location.

"Our intention has always been to have another economic development project other than the casino project on the property," he said. "It fits because it's attracting people to the lakeshore. It's expanded growth, entertainment and attracts tourism, which fits right into the plans we had."

Romanelli added that the tribe has long been a supporter of Bike Time and that the board, as well as the Fruitport Township government - the municipality that oversees the property - has been very cooperative and helpful throughout the process.

In the short term, the extra space likely will be used for camping as soon as the 2016 festival, according to organizers.

"To add an element like camping, which is a big thing for bike rallies and something we haven't been able to offer, is good," Lipan said.

The emphasis on camping is also the result of a survey conducted by Bike Time Board Vice Chairman Dave Burlingame in which attendees cited camping options as one of the best ways to improve the festival.

Board members agree that in order to sustain Muskegon Bike Time, the expansion was necessary. They are confident the new and improved festival will create excitement among bikers everywhere. As a result, it will help the Muskegon community as a whole.

"Muskegon is a motorcycle-riding community," Whitehouse said. "I think that's part of the mystique of the event is that we have that here. It's a motorcycle event. It's not a concert event as Summer Celebration was; it's a motorcycle event, and all the other things are to entertain the people that come."

Lipan added that the willingness of people in Muskegon to collaborate, organize and volunteer has also been key to the success of Bike Time.

"That's just the kind of community Muskegon is," he said. "We think this is going to be really good."

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Information from: The Muskegon Chronicle, http://www.mlive.com/muskegon