What do you get when you mix bikers, quilters, Civil War re-enactors, and a wedding?
Ask the folks in St. Charles, Mo., and they might exclaim, “cha-ching!”
Early last September the historic town welcomed a motley assortment of conventioneers simultaneously: the Missouri State HOG (Harley Owners Group) Rally, a quilting association, a gathering of Civil War re-enactors, a bluegrass festival, and, perhaps a concern for the father of the bride, a 450-person-strong wedding.
“You would see the re-enactors of the Civil War walking down the street, with riders on Harley-Davidsons going by dressed in leather,” remembers Donna Costellia, assistant director of the Greater Saint Charles CVB. “And the quilt people loved it, because the people that can afford those wonderful bikes love to shop—there were a lot of quilts purchased.”
Of course, one could imagine the townsfolk’s concern when quilters and bikers mix—never mind a Civil War wildcard.
“Once they met these wonderful people they realized we’re talking doctors and lawyers—very high incomes—and these motorcycles are not toys,” Costellia says. “In fact, the mayor, Patti York, rode on one during the parade.”
Far from a scene out of Marlon Brando’s The Wild One, these 3,000 motorcycle mamas and papas left a heap of money rather than a heap of destruction behind.
“If you bring 3,000 bikers to an area, it’s not only gasoline and food, but everything, such as lodging, increases,” she says.
Pleasing all the groups in town presented a bit of a logistical challenge, requiring the CVB to begin planning the culture clash more than two years prior.
The quilters were exhibiting on Historic Main Street—the dainty quilts were removed before the exhaust-belching hogs rolled through—and the bikers were on the west side of town.
“We have over 10 blocks of more than 125 antique shops and restaurants all nestled along the Missouri River,” Costellia explains. “That’s where the Civil War was at.”
And if you still don’t think Costellia and her crew brought their A game, the city had hosted 5,000 Central States Shriners a week before.
