Council gives green light
to 3-day Harley festival
Police don’t expect major traffic problems from ‘family-oriented’ event
OLD BRIDGE — Provided that the name "Old Bridge" be used on itinerary rather than "Englishtown," Harley-Davidson will be allowed to bring its 100th Anniversary Celebration Tour to Raceway Park for three days in August 2002.
In a 6-0 vote Monday night, the Township Council approved Harley-Davidson’s application to hold the event, which according to the company’s promotional literature, is family-oriented and does not involve racing. The event, estimated by Harley-Davidson to attract thousands of people, will bring a movie theater, a restaurant and performances by several popular bands to the park.
According to a resolution drafted by Township Attorney William Ruggierio, the approval is also subject to an agreement between the township and Harley-Davidson that the sponsor provide its own security, emergency medical personnel and cleanup crews during the event, which is scheduled for Aug. 16, 17 and 18 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
At the request of council Vice President Reggie Butler, who was chairing the meeting in the absence of council President Dennis Maher, township Police Capt. Bill Cerra presented Harley-Davidson’s proposal. The motorcycle manufacturing company had previously sent the application and proposal to the Police Department for its review.
"This is not a racing event," Cerra said. "This is a world’s fair event for Harley."
Cerra explained that Harley-Davidson would exercise full control of the event, including 10 days of pre-event setup and 10 days of taking down its displays. The event would focus on selling Harley-Davidson merchandise including clothing and toys, Cerra said.
Harley-Davidson would be including Old Bridge as part of the fair’s 11-city tour, Cerra said. Other cities on the itinerary include Atlanta, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, and Mexico City, he said.
Also, once inside the park, the sponsoring company would also set up its own temporary restaurant designed to seat 1,000 patrons and a movie theater designed to hold 2,000 people, Cerra said. The movie theater would be used to screen a Harley-Davidson-related film.
The event has many corporate sponsors, including America Online, Cerra said. The Harley-Davidson company would also donate a minimum of $1 million to the Muscular Dystrophy Association from proceeds raised at the event.
Cerra stressed that Harley-Davidson exercises complete control over the event, providing its own security patrols to assist with traffic flow and any possible unruly patrons.
"It’s not the element you think," Cerra said. "That element is not going to stay."
Cerra referred to the promotional materials, which predict attendance of 8,000 to 10,000 people per day. The materials also note that Harley-Davidson riders include "white collar" professionals such as doctors and lawyers, Cerra added.
"It’s a good thing to have in Old Bridge," he said.
The event also will feature a concert with the classic rock bands Three Dog Night, the Eagles and the Charlie Daniels Band, which will be hosted by comedian Drew Carey. Also on the entertainment bill will be an oldies show featuring 1950s-style doo-wop groups, Cerra said.
"It sounds like a very nice event," Cerra said.
In response to Mayor Barbara Cannon’s question about the possibility that the Police Department might incur overtime as a result of the traffic exiting Raceway Park, Cerra pointed out that the event’s coming-and-going nature will allow for a smooth flow of people at all times. He added that at 11 p.m. there would be no mass exodus because patrons would be leaving at different times throughout the day.
"It’s an all-day slow flow," he said.
Councilman Edward Testino asked about whether there would be enough emergency medical personnel and firefighters available in case of an emergency.
Cerra replied that he has already notified the fire district in the area. Harley-Davidson, he added, has a traveling doctor and a nurse on its staff.
Councilman Gerald Cucchiara asked Cerra to ensure that Old Bridge received credit as the host community rather than Englishtown. Raceway Park lists Englishtown as its location in its mailing address and in its advertising. It actually is situated along Pension Road in Old Bridge near the border of Manalapan.
"Please tell them it’s Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, not Englishtown," Cucchiara said.