Accidents, traditions mark midway point of 103rd Laconia Motorcycle Week

WEIRS BEACH — Celebrations during the 103rd Laconia Motorcycle Week continue, as The NASWA Resort held the rally’s 103rd birthday party Wednesday night, with Gov. Kelly Ayotte among the local and state leaders in attendance.

The past few gorgeous days in the Lakes Region brought a lot of people out on the roads, causing traffic congestion.

“We experienced, unfortunately, five motorcycle crashes, one being pretty significant. But I think everybody’s going to make it out OK,” said Fire Chief Tim Joubert, during a press conference Thursday morning, at The NASWA. “I really want to thank the public. They stepped up and they helped out. They provided care before we arrived through the congestion of all the vehicles.”

Joubert advises all vehicles to pull over for emergency vehicles to pass, so they can tend to patients as quickly as possible.

“We also had a small motorcycle fire down on the lakeside yesterday, all around the same time. A bystander helped us out, to make sure that it didn’t spread to other motorcycles. So, a pretty busy day.”

After many sunny days, the tail end of the week is cooling down. 

“This afternoon between 2 and 7 p.m. looks like we’re going to get a pretty good series of thunderstorms. I just want to make sure everybody’s aware and careful,” Joubert said Thursday morning. “Pay attention to your weather apps. Vendors, make sure you’re able to secure your products and your tents and everything like that, for safety reasons.”

Motorcycle Week Deputy Director Jennifer Anderson added, “That’s a good reminder too, whatever event you might be going to, make sure you check with the event holder before heading out. Specifically I’m thinking about the Mount Washington Auto Road. I know there was a ride leaving from Laconia Harley this morning. When I last checked it, the auto road was still open, but again, it was calling for significant weather up there.”

Anderson noted this year’s rally had a strong start. “We had our cruise on the M/S Mount Washington Tuesday night, with a lot of our motorcycle visitors and locals that joined us on that. That’s always a great time where we actually get to sit and relax. And two people got engaged actually, so that was very exciting.

“There was a lot of activity at the Gunstock Hill Climb yesterday, and our folks from Ridge Runner Promotions were with us on Tuesday to give us an update, and I got to see it firsthand myself. I’m telling you, it had to be record-breaking crowds over there. It was unbelievable.”

Anderson noted she had not seen crowds of that size since the 100th anniversary rally, and it looked to her like a prime ski day at Gunstock Mountain Resort, with every lot packed full.

“It was great. Everyone was in such great spirits. It just was really incredible to see.”

Fireworks shot up over Weirs Beach Wednesday night. “For what restrictions are placed on us for firework shows, they still did a very good show,” said Charlie St. Clair, executive director of Laconia Motorcycle Week. “There was no humidity this year, so I remember last year the smoke just covered everything, but we didn’t have that problem so that was good.”

The POW/MIA Vigil takes place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, at Hesky Park in Meredith, as it does every Thursday evening year round. The event also includes the annual Freedom Ride, where groups of motorcycles gather to honor and remember prisoners of war and those missing in action.

“The Freedom Ride we’re not sure about yet, because, as the chief was mentioning, about the potential for thunderstorms. So that’s something that hopefully they will have an update on later in the afternoon,” said Anderson. “Even if the organized ride does not officially go on, the vigil at Hesky Park will still go on.”

“Ride safe, be careful, and for God’s sake, slow down. Because there’s no need trying to get somewhere if you’re not going to get there,” St. Clair said.

The 103rd Laconia Motorcycle Week runs through Sunday, June 21, and organizers are expected to hold a final press conference on Friday morning.