Winnemucca News

Winnemucca News

Run-A-Mucca Recap - 06-03-2010

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WINNEMUCCA — In other places barbeques and picnics mark Memorial Day weekend, but locally it’s the roar of engines that officially kicks off the start of summer – even if participants did have to ride through snow showers to get here.

Having just completed its ninth year, Run-A-Mucca participants told SPJ it’s like a family reunion.

Troy, from Silver Springs, said this was his fourth time attending and every year he runs into the same, great people. Troy said while he like the games (with special reference to the hot dog game) his wife likes to shop the vendors.

Mitchell, from Boise, was attending Run-A-Mucca for the first time but reports he had a great time and is looking forward to coming back. He said he heard about the event from a friend, who ended up not being able to attend.

Mitchell is a veteran and said the Memorial Run and service at Veterans Park were special events for him.

The weekend started off a little thin as some bikers opted to stay home rather than ride through the snow and rain on Friday (May 28). But the weather cleared a bit on Saturday and people started rolling in. 

Kim Petersen, the director of the Winnemucca Convention and Visitor’s Authority, said there were some cancellations on Friday, but people started showing up on Saturday who did not pre-register and the hotel rooms ended up full.

“It’s been a great weekend for Winnemucca,” Petersen said.

“Our philosophy is to have acts and events so people can attend with their families,” he added. “Things are safe and peaceful and people just come out to have a good time.”

Petersen commended all the people who work to pull the event off, including the Run-A-Mucca committee, the many volunteers, and the support from the three area casinos.

Mike Moore, chairman of the Run-A-Mucca committee said, “It’s been a wonderful time. Every year is a wonderful time.”


The winner of the new Harley was John Copeland, of Battle Mountain, who only purchased one ticket. Copeland said with a laugh, "Sometimes ... it's better to be lucky than good."  He reports he'll probably give the new Harley to his wife.  Copeland only began riding last year and said, "I wish I had started 30 years ago."


The torching of the bike has long been a crowd favorite.


Although there was some fear the weather would negatively impact the event, by Saturday the crowd started showing up (shown above).


Bad Intent,shown above, rocked the day crowd on Fourth St. Breakdown, the Tom Petty tribute band, shown below, rocked the evening crowd at Model T. Breakdown was not only an excellent show but it was educational, too -- for the group of teenagers who asked, "Who's Tom Petty?"  It's good for young people to hear good music every once in a while.




The Buckaroo Breakfast was served up by the Rotary Club on The Nixon Lawn.

US Army veteran Michael Michaelsen fired the cannon in memory of the 1.3 million American men and women who have died while serving in the armed forces.  The Memorial Day service took place at Veterans Park, off of US 95, following the Memorial Ride.


Participants may have come through rain and snow to attend Run-A-Mucca but by Sunday the clouds had cleared and the blue sky was a sign to take the long way home.

Written by Dee Holzel - Silver Pinyon Journal - 6/3/10

• Winnemucca News