Ticket feature: Biker rally fundraiser set

File photo The Kick Start bike rally which will take place on Main Street from Second to Fourth streets and run from Grand Avenue to Mitchell streets. It starts Friday evening and continues through Saturday.

Bikers and kids are a combination that never fails, according to Rocky Martin who is organizing this weekend’s Kick Start bike rally in Clovis to benefit the girl’s high school soccer team.

“One thing about bikers, if it’s about kids they’re all over it,” he said.

The festivities, which will take place on Main Street from Second to Fourth Streets and run from Grand Avenue to Mitchell Street, will begin Friday evening and last through Saturday night.

All proceeds go to benefit the soccer team to help enrich their season, Martin said.

It is the second year for the rally, he said, explaining his niece was complaining about having to sell things to raise money for the team and the idea struck him to host a rally instead so the girls could spend more time on their game.

The first year was a success, raising $5,000 as opposed to the average $1,000 of years past.

This year he hopes to double the amount raised at the first rally, but, “If we make more than $5,000, I’m happy,” he said.

Admission to the rally is free and Martin said there will be more than 30 vendors, games, bike rides, live music and street dancing daily.

For Scott Martin, Rocky Martin’s brother and president of the girl’s soccer team booster club, the event has been a relief to the booster club and the team.

“Before when we first started, the girls were having to do everything in the world to try to raise money,” he said.

But because of the money raised by the rally, the girls have had upgraded practice equipment, better uniforms, better meals while traveling and more, he said.

And it certainly boosted their performance. He believes because the girls were able to concentrate on their game and had the equipment they needed, adding, “last year was their best record in 10 years.”

The bikers contributing have won the hearts and gratitude of the team, Scott Martin said.

“Last year was our first year and the people were great people, they are just super nice people. They helped those girls out so much so we believe in them now,” he said.

“They basically have made it so the kids can be kids. They can play soccer, the coaches can coach, and they don’t have to be salesman.”

The team will be out at the rally helping organizers and selling T-shirts and refreshments.

Martin said there will be a night ride Friday with registration beginning at 5:30 on Main Street.

Friday’s bands will include The John Curtis Band from Lubbock and country artist Mark Kelley from Portales. Saturday The Fun Brothers from Clovis and The Black Water Band will entertain attendees.

Saturday’s motorcycle ride will be visiting local smaller communities like Texico, Pleasant Hill, Ranchvale and Field.

Martin said there will also be a bike show, bike games and entertainment by the Texas Iron Horse Rodeo, retired rodeo cowboys who have translated their tricks to motorcycles.

A family friendly, alcohol-free event, Martin said he hopes to make the rally an annual event for Clovis.