Dealer's closing puts Bike Week in jeopardy
5/20/2009SANDUSKY - Organizers of Ohio Bike Week say they're worried that the closing of a Harley-Davidson dealership in Erie County will hurt the event, an important source of tourism dollars.
Roeder Harley-Davidson in Perkins Township has been the main sponsor of Bike Week, which has included live music, races, and stunt demonstrations and is scheduled this year for June 5-14.
Many events were to originate at the dealership, which shut its doors Friday after its bank started foreclosure proceedings.
Harley-Davidson says the dealership owes it
$2 million.
Bike Week organizer Steve Ernst says a portion of the dealership's campus is expected to remain available, but it's unclear if buildings will be open.
The event began in 2001 as a rally that ended on the shores of Lake Erie.