If your idea of a good time is a Harley Davidson, the open road, live music and hundreds of like-minded individuals, Austin is the place to be every June for the Republic of Texas (ROT) Biker Rally. With the largest (as certified by the Guinness Book of World Records) motorcycle parade in the world, great bands at the Travis County Expo Center and Rally Grounds, and more vendors than you can count, you won't want to miss this exciting event.



The ROT Rally is held annually at the Travis County Exposition Center. The three-day event runs from Thursday night to Sunday morning, with different activities every day. Festivities begin Thursday evening, with live music. There are four stages for performances, each with a different lineup. The music continues through Saturday night, so no matter when you arrive you are sure to hear some of the best bands Austin and the motorcyclists can find within the city limits or bring in themselves.

On Friday, the motorcycle parade takes place. Everyone takes to their bikes and the streets for a motorcade of grand proportions. Participating means you will have been a part of an event the Guinness Book of World Records recognizes as the largest motorcycle parade in the country. It is an event not to be missed. So be at Congress Avenue by 7:00pm. The lot leaves at 7:30.

Saturday attendees crowd the streets again, but this time they're on their feet not their bikes. The Street Party, which used to be confined to 6th Street, covers a number of roads and avenues throughout Austin, with parking available in designated areas. It runs from 7:00 pm until 2:00 am Sunday morning, with a free concert on Congress Avenue. You'll enjoy food, music and motorcycle fun all night long, well into the early morning hours.

Throughout the entire weekend, you can stop by the many vendors set up for the rally and purchase whatever gear you may currently be lacking from safety needs (helmets, etc.) to stickers, bikes, clothing and much, much more. There will also be a section set up for celebrity builders, where some of the most famous bikers in America display their creations for all to see. And on Sunday morning, there will be a worship service at the Christian Motorcyclists Association in the South end of the Vendor Mall.

If you need a place to stay for the event, you have a few options: You can rent a hotel room from one of Austin's many beautifully establishments. You can bring your RV and a rent a space to park it; or you can, free of charge, set up a tent anywhere permitted away from the vendors and stages. Assuming the weather holds, the last could be the most fun and the most economical.

To register for the ROT Rally, visit the official site at www.rotrally.com. Registration is open as of New Year's Day. Pre-registration lasts through May 15. It's $50 per adult and $20 per child (ages 12-17). There are no day passes available, so know that when you sign up for the rally you are signing up for a weekend of fun, fun, fun and motorcycles.