An adrenaline-packed Labor Day weekend awaits as the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally revs into action.
With a lineup of over 30 thrilling events, the celebration is set to draw motorcycle enthusiasts from all corners of the map, including Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Texas and California.
“It’s our 30th anniversary this year, so it’s a big deal,” said Trevor Bird, event organizer and Durango Harley-Davidson dealership owner. “We’ll probably have the largest attendance we’ve ever had before.”
The two-wheeled experience kicks off Aug. 31 and goes to Sept. 4.
The rally began in 1993 on the Southern Ute Reservation in Ignacio, uniting people from diverse walks of life to revel in the spirit and camaraderie of the biking community.
“It’s really important to honor that legacy and continue to keep the tribe involved,” Bird said.
In past years, Ignacio’s Sky Ute Fairgrounds has accommodated hundreds of tent-camping spots for rally attendees. This year, however, the La Plata County Fairgrounds will take over the role.
The fairgrounds baseball fields will provide just over 600 people with tent campsites over Labor Day weekend. Bird said this will allow people to be in one central location and easily partake in events at the fairgrounds event center.
“One of our most popular attractions is the Ives Brothers wall of death,” Bird said.
The wall of death lives up to its name.
Imagine a colossal wooden cylinder, like a giant drum turned on its head. Now, throw in some fearless motorcyclists who hit the gas and zoom up the sides, defying gravity as they whirl around the inner walls.
This won’t be the only hot commodity for the weekend. Other events include flat track races, brawl stunt competitions, demo rides, the Iron Goddess women's motorcycle show and a Biltwell bike show.
A full event schedule can be found at fourcornersmotorcyclerally.com.
Bird has been the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally event organizer since 2017. He said one of his main goals is to honor moto culture, born out of a passion for motorcycles. While the event may be perceived as people “drinking beer and hanging out at the campground,” he said it has shifted to be an inclusive celebration.
“All of our activities are open to everyone and are just a fun family gathering for people that are maybe interested in riding or even people that have no experience,” he said.
The rally will also offer a ride on the iconic Million Dollar Highway that runs from Silverton to Ouray.
“We have some of the best riding in North America right in our backyard,” he said. “We want to inspire people to come out and experience the beautiful scenery that Durango and the Four Corners has to offer.”
The Southern Ute Indian Tribe will host a “Missing, Murdered & Indigenous Relatives Ride”’ where motorcyclists will ride to the Ute Culture Center and listen to speeches and tribal performances.
“The missing, murdered and indigenous relatives is an area that doesn’t get enough attention,” Bird said. “We want to shed light on and honor the challenges that tribes face.”
Because of the high traffic of motorcyclists and people in town over Labor Day weekend, the Durango Police Department will increase the number of officers on roads.
“Our top priority is public safety,” said Deck Shaline, Durango police commander. “We will have DUI enforcement out and anticipate there will be impacts on traffic.”
Shaline said they have held meetings and collaborated with event organizers to ensure safety for the event and accommodate the community.
“While the rally is about having fun and riding, the safety of our community and the safety of the people attending is our top priority,” Bird said.
