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Thousands of Fans from 6 States... Chesnee Hosts 7th Annual Bike Show!
What started seven years ago with an idea just 30 antique motor cycles has now become the largest event of its’ kind in all of South Carolina and possibly the Southeast! “Antique Bikes on Main” is in the town of Chesnee, which according to the United States Census Bureau 2010, has a population of just 868 and encompasses a total area of less than one mile - 0.9 square mile. Our next door neighbor in South Carolina has created an event which has put it on the map.
Chesnee is also about to celebrate its centennial in September. It’s history is rich in the pioneering spirit. The Chesnee Land Company bought the acreage. A leading member of the company was John B. Cleveland of Spartanburg. He named the company and the town after his great grandmother, Margaret Chesnee who was born in Scotland.
Continuing in that pioneering spirit, which the town embraces, is Dennis A. Harris, owner of Chesnee Classic Cycle on Chester Street. Dennis came up with the idea of “Antique Bikes on Main” seven years ago and then got his friend Clint Button involved. He’ll quickly tell you that Clint is “my right hand man”. With a meager start of just those 30 bikes in 2005, the seventh annual event, 2011, was “overwhelming!” Everywhere you looked up and down the streets of Chesnee all you saw was motorcycles. It’s reputation has grown and now bikers from North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee, Florida as well as South Carolina come to this event. It definitely has become the place to see and be seen. It’s like a convention of bikers from all over the Southeast.
There are vendors, a swap meet, food, live music and it’s all free. This year it all started on Saturday evening. The display of bikes was not only interesting, but also insightful on how the motorcycle has emerged over the years and become an permanent part of American society. The event further confirmed how motorcyclists are caring, very giving, and community involved people. The clubs throughout the country always are doing special “runs for a cause”.
For anyone who attended this years “get together” in Chesnee, your definitely had to be impressed. It was a solid display of how motorcycles and their owners can make you addictive to this All-American machine that has emerged to its’ present status. Ask any motorcyclist!
The “Antique Bikes on Main” annual event in Chesnee is very similar to the motorcycle itself. It has become “a great display of dedication, curiosity, determination and appreciation - a tribute to man and the machine”.
