PHOTO PROVIDED
Pictured with his 1947 Harley-Davidson “Knucklehead” is Todd Mickinak of Latrobe, president of the Allegheny Mountain Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America.
The 81st Pennsylvania State Laurel Festival, running from June 10 to 18, is playing host to a variety of events.
A returning favorite, the Pet Parade, is set for 1:30 p.m. Saturday, June 11, according to a press release.
Children ages 12 and under, who have the cutest, best-dressed, smartest, prettiest and most-lovable pets in Tioga County are invited to preregister for the free 2023 Pet Parade.
Those who don’t have a pet can decorate their bike or wagon and join in the fun, according to the release.
Preregistration is required. The deadline is 4 p.m. Thursday, June 8. There is no entry fee. The parade sponsor is Grand Canyon Veterinary Hospital of Wellsboro, according to the release.
For the judging, be at Packer Park on Queen Street at 12:30 p.m. on June 11.
The parade will form on Queen Street and travel up Main Street to The Green, where all children who preregister by June 8 will receive ribbons and goody bags. Special awards will also be presented, according to the release.
Visit the Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce website at www.wellsboropa.com, click on “Forms” and on the drop-down menu click on “2023 Pet Parade Application,” or pick up a form at the chamber office at 114 Main St. in Wellsboro.
Complete the form and return it to the chamber office by June 8. For more information, call 570-724-1926 or email [email protected], according to the release.
Though, pets aren’t the only guests to be feted at the weeklong festival.
Sunday, June 11, through Wednesday, June 14, of Laurel Festival week, the Allegheny Mountain Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America (AMCA) is hosting a National Road Run in Wellsboro, according to a press release.
“A total of 130 antique motorcycles have registered for the Wellsboro event,” said coordinator Jim Graulty, according to the release.
The registrants include organizers Graulty and co-coordinator Allan Osterwise, who both live near Pittsburgh, and the nine-member committee that assists them.
“Our event is at capacity with 160 registrants, 130 riders and 30 passengers who are coming from 12 states and Canada,” Graulty said, according to the release.
The states are Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina, Arkansas, Tennessee, Colorado, Florida and Wisconsin, according to the release. From Canada are two from Ontario Province and one from Prince Edward Island.
“Most will bring their cycles on trailers, and some will ride to Wellsboro,” Graulty said, according to the release.
“The majority of our members ride Harley-Davidsons, but we welcome all brands,” Graulty said, according to the release. “Registered for our event are mainly Harleys from 1921 to the early 1980s, with most from the 1950s and 1960s. Next are Indians from 1937 to 1948, followed by some BMWs from the ’60s and ’70s. Also registered are British bikes: a Triumph from the ’70s and a BSA from the ’60s. Many of our riders bring more than one bike in case of a breakdown, or to use on different ride days.”
“The price of a new Harley-Davidson in 1955 was about $1,085,” Graulty said, according to the release. “Its current value can range from $20,000 to $30,000 depending on condition, originality, etc. The price for a 1921 Harley-Davidson Model JD was $520. In excellent condition to concours (the highest level of perfection), it could be worth $50,000 to $60,000 today,”
On Registration Day, Sunday, June 11, attendees will check in at the Penn Wells Lodge, the group’s host hotel, pick up information packets, including ride route directions, and that night attend the opening buffet at the Penn Wells Hotel.
Riding days are Monday through Wednesday. Each ride will begin with an 8:30 a.m. meeting and include a prearranged lunch stop, according to the release.
Monday, June 12, bikers will ride by the Austin Dam through Renovo to Hyner View. The Tuesday, June 13 ride will take them through Blossburg, Salladasburg, Waterville, and Slate Run.
From 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday night will be the Antique Motorcycle Show with awards. Riders will display their cycles on Pearl and Charles streets by The Green and be on hand to talk to people about them. Also open to the public on June 13 will be an ice cream social featuring Main Street Creamery’s homemade ice cream to purchase and a free concert on The Green, according to the release.
The ride on Wednesday, June 14, will include a tour of the West Rim of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, Ole Covered Wagon Tour rides and a loop up to Tioga-Hammond Lakes. Wednesday evening will be the closing banquet at the Penn Wells Hotel.
Most riders will stay overnight in Wellsboro and start for home on Thursday, June 15.
Since it was founded in 1954, the Antique Motorcycle Club of America has grown to over 13,000 members and is one the largest organizations of its type in the world, according to the release.
The Allegheny Mountain Chapter, one of the 85 AMCA-affiliated chapters nationwide, is composed of members from Ohio, West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania. AMCA members own, restore, preserve, study or just admire motorcycles that are antiques, 35 years or older.
Although the AMCA is based in the United States, fans of motorcycles from all countries are welcome to join. Ownership of an antique motorcycle is not required to become a member, according to the release.
