Buckcherry, Jackyl, stunt show highlight La Crosse’s Big River Rally on Aug. 16-17

The start of a yearly event in La Crosse, with something for everyone, from the leather clad to the adrenaline enthusiast to the music lover.

All of it celebrating the La Crosse region and looking to help the community through veterans and children’s charities.

The Big River Rally is a two-day event Aug. 16-17, at the Oktoberfest grounds in La Crosse — and beyond.

The beyond happens through the Coulee Region with two motorcycle rides — one Friday, the other Saturday — to highlight the driftless landscape, but there’s so much more.

Two concerts led by Buckcherry on Friday and Jackyl the next night. A motorcycle stunt show. A motorcycle show, featuring bikes from individual owners.

Plus vendors, food trucks, a signature beer released to highlight the rally and a special whiskey signing. There’s also a Saturday veteran’s breakfast that features speakers and resources.

BIG RIVER RALLY
WHEN: Aug. 16-17
WHAT: Two days, two concerts (Buckcherry, Jackyl), two motorcycle rides, a stunt show, a motorcycle show, vendors, food, drinks and more
WHERE: Oktoberfest grounds and beyond
TICKETS: $30 in advance, $40 at gate — covers both days

Tickets are $30, which are basically for both concerts, because the rides are free for all, and a lot of the events on Saturday are also free.

“Trying to highlight how beautiful riding in our region is, right?” Big River Rally coordinator Jean Taylor said. “And then making it a community event, where people can taste the food and the drinks and then go to businesses and go out and sightsee and look at vistas and do all that stuff while they’re coming to La Crosse.

“ You could go and walk around and look at all these cool bikes. You can go see the stunt show. You can grab something to eat from one of the food trucks. You can have a cold beverage. You can then stay later in the day and watch some of the music, if that’s your jam.”

You’ll also get to meet some celebrities, with Jackyl lead singer, Jesse James Dupree, and WKTY sports talk host Bill Michaels, leading Saturday’s 120-mile motorcycle ride through the bluffs with stops along the way.

Friday’s ride will highlight the Mississippi River road. Both of them, promoting individual charities. Friday’s is for the La Crosse Freedom Honor Flight, which takes veterans free to see memorials in D.C. Saturday’s for the Children’s Miracle Network.

Taylor created the first annual Big River Rally to include music, rides, the stunt shows, vendors, the bike show, drinks and food, to be inclusive for all and highlight the region.

While rides through the Coulee are not uncommon, Big River connects those all the extra-curricular activities with the hope that it becomes a huge annual event to promote, not just this area’s uniqueness, but also its hidden gems along the way. 

“ We talked to somebody, who’s in the motorcycle industry, who grew up in California and was like, ‘I would put these roads up against any place in the country,’” Taylor said. “They’re just beautiful. The views are fantastic.”

The most unique part of Big River Rally may be the stunt show — or shows. Bill Dixon will put on three shows Saturday at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Even Taylor, who’s coordinated a lot of events in the area, hasn’t experienced that.

“ Pretty excited about that because I don’t know that I have witnessed one in person — it’s the internet, so you can see all the things — but I’m excited about this,” she said..

Dixon is a four-time XDL Street Bike Champion, and a lot of fans have seen his performances live on Lazell Street during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. He was also featured on the first season of the TBS show “The Go Big Show.” 

For those who can’t make Friday’s ride, but want to donate to the Freedom Honor Flight, you can do so here.