Last week’s influx of motorcycle enthusiasts into downtown Raleigh for Ray Price Capital City Bikefest made a big impact for two important nonprofit organizations that serve military families. Bikers donated $13,917 to the USO of North Carolina and United States Veterans Corps by participating in various events associated with Bikefest.
“Motorcyclists came to Raleigh from all over to participate in a fun weekend at Ray Price Capital City Bikefest and help raise money for the USO of North Carolina and the United States Veterans Corps,” said Mark Hendrix, general manager of Ray Price, Inc., and organizer of Ray Price Capital City Bikefest.
Charitable donation opportunities during Bikefest included: the Patriot Ride, the Parade of Lights, the Raleigh Tattoo Festival, as well as a photo platform and various drop buckets on Fayetteville St.
The 2017 Raleigh Tattoo Festival at Bikefest was presented by 401 Tattoos & Art, and Warlock’s Tattoos & Body Piercings. These popular shops helped organize talented area tattoo artists who agreed to donate one-half of all their proceeds. The results of their efforts helped contribute $7,860 in donations to the USO of North Carolina and the United States Veterans Corps.
Participating tattoo artists included: Warlock’s Tattoos & Body Piercings, 401 Tattoo & Art, Mad Ethel’s Tattoo, Black Pearl Tattoo, Pleasure Island Tattoo, Inked Sanity, On the Brink Tattoo, Rock ‘n Roll Tattoos, The Studio, The Crow’s Nest Tattoo, Robert Meyers Tattoo, Dean Caves, Chop Shop Tattoos, American Tattoo Society and Iron/Ink Tattoos.
The Parade of Lights featured all makes and models of motorcycles showing off their custom accent lighting and was sponsored by Custom Dynamics.
“We’re very proud of our friends in the motorcycling and tattoo communities for stepping up big for charity again this year,” said Hendrix. “We all honor the legacy of our founder Ray Price when we embody his passion for philanthropy.”
Ray Price Capital City Bikefest was formed in 2005 in partnership with the City of Raleigh to establish a downtown motorcycle rally. Created by the late Ray Price, it helped bring the roar of life back to the core of the city and has grown to become one of the nation’s largest downtown bike festivals. More than $138,000 has been raised for charity over the years.
For more than 30 years, Ray Price Harley-Davidson has served as the center of motorcycle culture in Raleigh, N.C., and among the Southeast’s top motorcycle dealerships. Home to Hall-of-Fame racing legend Ray Price, dealership staff have centuries of combined Harley riding experience to provide award-winning customer service and education programs for beginners-to-expert riders. Ray Price was again named a 2014 Dealernews Top 100 business, as well as a Powersports Business Power 50 Dealer. The team actively supports area charities through a wide range of philanthropy projects. Ray Price Racing won the National Hot Rod Association’s (NHRA) Top Fuel Harley Championship in 2014 and 2015.