Well you have probably seen the new header on the website, which is Jakarta our headline (Saturday Night) band from the Rally. (They keep changing the header, I don't know where they found that guy!) I have to thank all those that volunteered, especially those who are not even members of our club. That would be the great folks who worked with Ellen, Renee, and Sue in the Teen Center. Scott (Paonia Police Chief), Adam and Neil (Paonia Police Officers) they stepped up patrols after our incident. Neil (Mayor of Paonia) who was always working behind the scenes to ensure things ran smoothly. Scott, a local Moto Guzzi Rider, he worked with us at the registration desk every day. Aaron, our youngest rider, who worked security every night, and I might add caught the fellow who was setting off fireworks over the bikes. Ron and others from the Christian Motorcyclists Association who worked day security and the games even though their own Rally was taking place in Gunnison at the same time as ours. The many riders from around the country, who helped with T-Shirts, Registration, Security, and so much more. And of course you the members of BMWMCC, who without your help and support, I would never have been able to pull this off. The final count was 1022 attendees, with a direct contribution to local charities of 10,500 dollars and I would guess from talking to those charities selling on site, an in-direct contribution in the 3000 to 5000 dollar range. Thanks again everyone YOU are this club!

Fabulous job of carrying the torch, Ken. Excellent job. Your organization made the rally, but the work of so many good volunteers always makes the rally a great event. After Gillette, good food and shade should bring 'em back for years!

The fact that attendance broke a thousand is super. So much for the fuel cost effect.

Great report! Thank you!

This is a very nice article about the rally...interesting they don't mention the contribution made to local charities both indirect and direct.

Paonia hospitality impresses Beemers at annual rally
Wednesday, 30 July 2008 00:00 Kathy Browning
Ellen Smith, along with Rene Atchley and Sue Rhodes, is one of the key people in making sure that all the food, vendors and every other possible detail is taken care so those attending the Top O’ The Rockies BMW Rally have a great time.

“I had so many wonderful comments on how they were treated downtown. They were so amazed at how everyone was so friendly and accommodating. One guy came in late, and we were able to find him a room. They just couldn’t get over how warm and friendly our town was,” Smith shared on Monday. “It was just such a wonderful experience. They really felt welcome.”

Paonia had a positive impression on a lot of new people coming for the rally. Many had attended the national rally in Gillette, Wyo., and decided to come to Colorado since they were so close. A total of 1,061 motorcyclists went through registration at the Paonia Teen Center for the BMW Rally. The last one was registered Saturday night. Motorcyclists began arriving on Wednesday, July 23.

Smith had 11 rally attendees who stayed over Sunday. They hated to leave and wanted to do another ride through the scenic byways of the North Fork Valley and the Grand Mesa. Among the last to leave from Paonia Town Park on Monday morning was a couple from Reno, who wanted to tour a little more before heading back to Nevada.

“I really want to thank the community for their tremendous support,” Smith said. “This was [the Beemers’] 19th year. They are already planning to come next year. We don’t have the date because their national will be in Tennessee, but they plan on seeing us in July. I want the town to know how much they are appreciated.”

The Paonia High School marching band and their parents served over 900 dinners on Saturday night in just one hour.

“Many of the Beemers were so pleased to visit with our kids, our students,” Smith observed. “They really liked the idea that kids were out there and what they were working for. So, I thought that was a real plus for our area too.”

There was a wide variety of food vendors, both profit and non-profit, plus breakfast at the Paonia Teen Center, a steak fry at the Wilson-Head American Legion Post #97, plus local restaurants.

“There’s a lot of [Beemers] looking forward to coming back. So I am tickled about that,” Smith concluded.

The volunteers at the Paonia Teen Center haven’t had any time to rest after the BMW Rally, because this week is band camp. Smith said they will have some time off after that until the first Paonia High School football game on Aug. 22.

Very nice feedback continues to surface from this year's rally.

Excellent new fotos are up from Mark Zimmer at the smugmug site. Nice shots, Mark! http://coloradobeemers.smugmug.com/gallery/5665297_NtnVE#348800538_rNs6V

I just received the final number for "Charitable" contributions generated by the Top O' the Rockies Rally in Paonia. Hold on to your seat! Overall more than $25,000 dollars was donated as a result of our Rally. This number now includes the revenue from the two meals the Club provides. I'm proud to be a member of BMWMCC, and let me thank everyone who made this possible!