For three days each year, our little coastal town of 7,000 welcomes about 500 bikers and another 15,000 visitors to get crazy and celebrate… A flower.
A rhododendron, to be exact.
No one knows why.
But it’s been going on for 108 years and, for those three days, our town becomes an unlikely concotion of flower enthusiasts, Free Souls bikers and tourists all co-mingling over beers aand bacon-wrapped hot dogs. Think of it as “Sturgis meets Mardi Gras,” with a little Rose Festival thrown in. Personally, I think the bacon-wrapped hot dog is reason enough to celebrate, so I’m not going to suggest ending the festival anytime soon.
If you read Friday’s post, you know the festival kicks off with the arrival of the carnival — something that is always a bitter-sweet reminder of the loss of my best friend to cancer several years ago. As much as the festival reminds me of that loss, I also remember how much Jason loved this weekend each year, and some of the crazy things we did. Usually after a few beers.
Like when we dressed up as bikers and hung out with them at The Beachcomber.
We made some good friends that night even though we looked like a couple of rejected extras from “The Wild Bunch.”
Like Jason, who also worked here in the newsroom before I stumbled in 16 years ago, I’m always assigned to photograph the parade route along Bay Street. This is where the bikers congregate, lining their Harleys along both sides for several blocks. I’ve had nightmares about tripping over a chopper tire and sending a row crashing like dominoes, and then being invited to the Olympics after setting a new sprint record.
The truth is, it’s my favorite assignment. I look forward to it each year because I enjoy talking with the bikers; the challenge of trying to capture the unique moments that constantly present themselves; and for a little while at least, sharing Rhody Days with my friend while walking in his footsteps.
I’d like to share this year’s footsteps with you. I’d also like to illustrate that, despite what happened in Waco, bikers are like any other group: Whether it be police, ethnic group or religious affiliation, they are at the mercy of the stereotypes pepetuated by a relative few…
I’m going to end with a photo that means a lot to me because it includes my friend and first editor, Bob Serra, who hired me here at Siuslaw News 16 years ago. And before that, he hired Jason. Clearly he’s got great instincts at least 50 percent of the time. He’s moved on now, and even though it’s a small town we don’t get together nearly as often as I’d like. The Rhody Parade is one time each year I know I will get to see him, shake his hand and laugh together. He took a chance on hiring me all those years ago and I’ll always be grateful.
Except on deadline days…
I know this is well off the beaten path of my normal posts. Then again, no one has ever accused my posts of being the work of someone who is normal. Thank you for taking a walk along Bay Street with me.
Oh, I should tell you there were horses in the parade, so you might want to check your shoes…
______________________________________________________________________________________
(Ned Hickson is a syndicated columnist with News Media Corporation. His first book, Humor at the Speed of Life, is available from Port Hole Publications, Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble.)
Ned's Blog 
That looks like so much fun, Ned, and I can see why you enjoy it. My city has a parade every year where you can see lots of leather and rainbows at the same time, should it be a thing 🙂
Even though it might be a different kind of post for you, I like to see the snippets of your life!
I really had no intention of posting any of this, but for some reason this morning I felt compelled to. I can’t explain it, but it felt good to share it.
Thanks for sharing it with me 😉
I think Waco might have had something to do with it. Nice antidote.
Haha! I know what you mean. My ex-wife spent four years there (school, not prison) and I visited on weekends. I’ll just leave it at that.
Wonderful post. The picture of the young boy was touching. I also liked how you looked dressed for your assignment I think you will start a new photog chic movement.
Thanks, John. I appreciate that.
And as for my wardrobe, as long as it’s not described as photog-chick…
Liked this one! It is nice to get something personal from you now and then. There hasn’t been anything in my mailbox for a while.
Thanks, Steve.
But it’s strange that my summer fruitcake hasn’t arrived yet…
He was in the parade.
HA! UH!
You gave up quick! YESSSSSS!!!! I WEEEEEEENNNNNNN!!!
Now THAT looks like a party!!
Every year — and we live practically right in the middle of the party! The carnival lights shine in our bedroom window. Just when it’s in town, though…
Lol….I would hope the carnies don’t stalk you while you slumber any other time!
You mean like at work? 😉
Lol…exactly!!
Usually, it is very unpleasant when bikers collide with anything – but this was an exception.
Glad to hear it 😉 I’m sending you a Rhody (the flower, not someone to set up your drums).
Great read! Thanks for sharing Ned!
Thanks, Amanda! 😉
Absolutely love your posts. I read your column in the SNEWS every week. Love Rhody weekend every year, 35 of them so far. The classic car show is my favorite Saturday event, and the parade and the bikers are the weekend faves.
Awwww, thanks so much, Nancy 😉
It looks like a riot as in fun! I think bikers are awesome as are their bikes! You should get one. 😉
I’m working on it!
How I must know what “Working on it” means. lol
I loved this post and I especially loved the photos that came along with it! I grew up in a small town that had a main street that looked like this – it made me nostalgic.
Thanks for taking the trip with me, Jana!
Thanks for bringing us along to the festival. When we bought our house, the property was badly overgrown. As I cleared brush and blackberries, I uncovered rhodie after rhodie. It turns out we have enough rhodies here to start our own festival (about 25). What a treat to see all the photos! You totally got me with the last line- caught me by surprise.
I’ll let our chamber of commerce know if we run out of Rhodies, they should contact you 😉
What a great post – looks like it was a lot of fun, and very poignant for you, too. 💛
Thanks, Lynette — it definitely was 😉
I don’t care if this strays from normal. It is such a great post, filled with good people and happiness. God, the photos are spectacular!
The sad and scary story of Waco sounded so very Sons of Anarchy and honestly, I never hear those stories. I hear many more about bikers coming together for good. We have Bike Week and Biketoberfest so we see many, many, many. They are good people and do a lot of good things. Thank you for highlighting that in the wake of a tragedy.
I don’t really think it matters what you write, Ned. It will always be brilliant. No exception here. Thank you for sharing something so lovely.
I may be a bit biased whe it comes to bikers; my much older brother was a Hell’s Angel, and we always had bikers around the house. They were always polite, respectful and protective. In my experience, the only people who needed to be afraid of bikers were those who needed a lesson in manners.
Thanks for the kind words, Sandy— and for sharing in this.
Listening to the news the other day, one commenter asked why we were calling them bikers when in actuality they were thugs.
That is an excellent distinction
Your stat’es tourism bureau should hire you! That sounds marvelous, and that’s coming from someone in the heart of Mardi gras country…
Can I include you as a reference on my resume? 😉
But of course!
LOVED post Ned, and the accompanying pictures! The dude on the bike with the fancy headdress is amazing! Totally had me at bacon and beer!! 🙂
Thanksso much, FBG 😉
Then should I be expecting you the third weekend in May 2016?
Sounds perfect!
I did not know bacon-wrapped hot dogs were a thing. I need to try one sometime.
Yes you do. Then you can scratch everything else off your bucket list.
A great writer might have a genre but doesn’t depend on it. I think of Gene Weingarten, who writes a hilarious weekly column but won the Pulitzer for a decidedly unfunny piece. Dave Barry, another of my idols, wrote a beautiful post-9/11 essay detailing his observations from the field near Shanksville where Flight 93 crashed. My point here (now that I’m done rooting around for it) is that great writing evokes emotion and leaves abiding image, like your piece did.
Thanks so much, Karen. I’m very flattered to be mentioned in such great company — including your own.
i love the contrast so much and would love to ride my banana seat bike with sparkly streamers with them in solidarity.
Haha! Next year, Beth, I’ll save you a spot on Bay Street among the Harleys 😉
Fortunately, your little hamlet plays host to decent bikers, rather than the Waco, Texas, variety…
If you’d ever been to Waco, I think you’d agree the bikers — and Waco itself — are both exceptions to the norm…
You know what? I love reading your stuff, because I know I am gonna laugh. It’s also nice to see something like this. I want to be there for next years festivities! The pictures say so much!!
Thanks, Julie! I expect to see you this same time next year 😉
You’ll have to send me a reminder, and tell me where I’m going. You’ll recognize me by the rhododendron in my hair. I hope it survives the motorcycle ride there…… it might just be a stem…
From what I understand, it’s common for bikers to be de-flowered on the road.
Wait, that’s not what I meant…
Are these your photos???
I LOVE them! You captured personalities, layers, and sketches in time. You make it look like you were born with a camera (and a light meter) in your hand! LOVE!
Thanks, Michelle 😉 I’ve been shooting for the paper since I started 16 years ago. Candids are my favorite, and I always use natural light — never a flash. But ask me to shoot a portrait and I’m dead in the water…
OMG! How have we not seen these?!? Candid is all that I do, too. I shoot family pics for friends and it’s never formal. Those type of photos are gifts. More please!
Any chance you’ve read or viewed Sally Mann? Amazing photographer and writer…though the pics of her kids are considered controversial. I’m loving her book “Hold Still” right now!
I’ll have to check out her work, Michelle. It sounds amazing. I’ve thought many times about doing a second blog that’s just about photos I take, but I’ve got enough on my plate for now. Maybe next year!
I’ve shot several weddings, and always explain that I’m not your traditional wedding photog. I’m all about the candids and capturing moments, not staging them. It’s kind of like combat photography. Except with cake and beer…
I have a second blog for photography. I started it about the same time MamaMick came on line. I was faithful with content and actually worked more over there than at my writing site for a while. However, the more I wrote, the more photos seemed to fit in with my prose. I keep the other site (michelleterryphotos.com), but I’m rarely over there any more.
Regarding Sally Mann – the more I read, the darker I realize she is. The premise started as a memoir, but is really a song about the South and its slavery-drenched history. It’s gorgeous and sad all at once.
Sorry for the ramble, I’m just so stoked that I learned about another side of you. A side that I hope we see more of !
One I get my “Nickel’s Worth” eBook wrapped up, I might start a photos-only blog, maybe with some narration to add context. I’ve seen the stuff on your photo blog and it’s really terrific, Michelle. You’ve got a great eye for composition and color.
And I’m sure your other eye is just as talented 😉