GOWANDA — With less than three months until the sights and sounds of motorcycles envelop the streets of Gowanda, the organizers of this year’s Hollywood Happening have published the schedule for the annual event.
The general flow of the festival will be similar to past years and carry on the tradition of celebrating motorcycles in a joint collaboration between the Historic Hollywood Theater and Gowanda Harley-Davidson.
The Hollywood Happening takes place Friday, June 2, through Sunday, June 4, with opening ceremonies taking place at 7:30 p.m. Friday following a bike parade that leaves Gowanda Harley-Davidson a half-hour prior.
Among the attractions during the weekend, Artemis Pyle will return for a concert on the main stage on Saturday, June 3. Pyle, a member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, last played at the Hollywood Happening in 2011.
“That was a really good show last time,” said Dr. Dana Anderson, chairman of the organizing committee for the festival.
Also on this year’s schedule again is Wheel Revolution, a V-twin motorcycle student show that will conduct three shows each on Saturday and Sunday on Center Street. Dr. Anderson said the group uses Harley Davidson motorcycles for their stunts.
In Jest, which is deemed “gravity-defying entertainment with oddball Nels Ross,” will also be holding three shows each on Saturday and Sunday at the theater in the Western New York natives returning to the festival.
Favorite events like the tattoo contest will also be returning. That event is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Saturday. Registration will take place from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Also on Saturday, the Hollywood Theater/J.C. Seneca Foundation Charity Run will begin at noon following a three-hour registration period at Native Pride in Irving. Participants are expected back to Gowanda around 3 p.m.
Other bands on the main stage announced for the event include Turbulence from 8 p.m. to midnight Friday; Mid Life Crisis from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday; Boogie Monsters from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday; Darkwater Duo from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday; and Wasted Whiskey from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday.
The hometown showcase, featuring local musicians, will be held on the main stage from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday.
Also, the Harley Davidson Factory Demo Fleet will be available at Gowanda Harley Davidson from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Dr. Anderson said the schedule is posted about three months in advance to allow people time to mark their calendars for their favorite attractions during the festival and also to help vendors to see what the event is all about.
The 19th annual Hollywood Happening helps to raise funding for the restoration of the Historic Hollywood Theater, which recently received three grants totaling nearly $1 million. The money raised will be used to help match those funds as outlined by the grants.
The festival is still seeking sponsors and vendors, both of which can find out more information by visiting gowandahollywoodhappening.com. Vendors can download an application on the site.
Additional information on the festival, including the complete schedule, is also available on the website.
