The DAVIS MOTORCYCLE RALLY is an entire weekend of family-oriented fun and activity in New Hampton, Iowa which is always held on the weekend immediately after the Labor Day Weekend. This motorcycle rally is somewhat unique in that it is sponsored solely by the Davis Family of New Hampton, IA. It was started in 1978 by Gene and Luci Davis who became interested in motorcycling prior to their retirement. Having attended numerous rallies, they felt they knew what would make a good and enjoyable rally, for the upper Midwest, with an emphasis on family and friends. They have certainly shown this to be true, as 2003 marked the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of The Davis Motorcycle Rally. The Davis Rally is not focused on any one make of motorcycle, all are welcome. The Rally is always held on the weekend following the Labor Day Holiday. We get underway at 7am on Friday morning, when the admission gate opens and concludes with the Grand Prize Drawings on Sunday morning, at 11:30am.
The Davis Rally is a full weekend event, the admission fee of $20.00 per adult (must be 16 or older to register) is good for the entire weekend. Children under 16 are admitted free, in the company of a paid adult. There is no one day admission. The registration card you receive when you come through the admission gate is your “ticket” into each of the nightly drawings and the Grand Prize Drawings on Sunday. You fill out your card and turn it in at the Information Booth in the center of the Rally Grounds Area.
We have a large “Vendor Village” every year with a huge assortment of merchandise available for your shopping pleasure, from motorcycle products & accessories to motorcycle services and care & maintenance items. We usually have several vendors specializing in camper and cargo trailers for the cycling community. There are always several leather vendors who carry a wide range of beautiful coats, hats, jackets, chaps, vests, purses, etc. There are also vendors who specialize in beautiful jewelry, gift items, sunglasses, clothing and more. Your unique sewing needs can be taken care of at the Rally (such as sewing patches on leather vests) and we also normally have engravers and embroiderers who offer their specialized services in the “Vendor Village.” Perhaps one of the major highlights in Vendor Village are the Pin-Stripers and Air-Brush Artists that we always have. They are all exceptionally talented people and their work is admired by all and can be seen on hundreds of motorcycles and trailers.
There are games and prizes, live music with dancing nightly, self-guided tours of the local area which you can enjoy at your own pace, a special Dinner Ride and the ever popular “Sunset Cruise” on Friday evening. "Bikin' For Bucks" is our own version of a Poker Run, with sign-in starting on Saturday morning at 8am. This year "Bikin' For Bucks" is even better, with more & bigger prizes than ever before! The outstanding Night Light Parade is on Saturday night at 7:00pm, which meanders through the town of New Hampton. Come prepared to show-off your bike with those impressive, colorful lighted decorations. CMA (Christian Motorcycle Association) Services are held on Saturday night and Sunday morning at the Bandshell.
Each evening, Friday and Saturday, there are drawings at 9pm. Six lucky people will win $250 each night during these drawings. Bikin’ for Bucks is another opportunity to be a winner. The highlight and finale of the Rally is the Grand Prize Drawing on Sunday morning at 11:30. Six lucky people will each become $500 prize winners!
The DAVIS MOTORCYCLE RALLY is held in the huge city park in New Hampton, Iowa on Highway 24 East, at the very edge of town. Camping is permitted throughout the park for this event only and will be open BEGINNING at 4pm on Labor Day. Managing and maintaining the campsite areas, throughout the park, is the annual project of the local Boy Scouts. Camping fees are collected by Scout Troop #48 ($2 per person, per day). There is a small area for RVs with hook-ups, although this is very limited. An additional option for those with RVs or motorhomes is the ‘R’ Campground (be sure to check on availability for current operations, fees, etc.), only about 18 miles west in Charles City. You may want to stay there and ride your bike back & forth.
For those not planning to camp, other overnight accommodations are also available, such as motels and private rooms offered, for rent, by local families. Click on Housing Options, on the Home Page, for a listing of area motels and Bed & Breakfasts. Note: New Hampton motels go very fast, so to help you, we are providing a list of motel options within a radius of about 50 miles of the Rally.
Sandwiches, soup, fruit, popcorn, candy, chips, orange juice, milk, coffee, hot cocoa, sodas and bottled water are available on the Rally Grounds at Luci's Lunch Stand. (Note: Alcohol is not sold on the grounds of The Davis Rally). Davis Rally Souvenirs are available in the central grounds area also.
Other information you may find useful: ATM machines are available in the New Hampton business district. There are no pay phones available on the Rally Grounds. A cell phone would be the ideal means of communication.
