The Bay Area Rally is a sister rally to the Golden Aspen Rally held annually for the past 38 years in Ruidoso, N.M., attracting more than 35,000 visitors from 32 states and six countries.

A family-friendly event, the Bay Area Rally is supported by local cities, chambers of commerce, and numerous other sponsors. Featured will be a huge exhibit area at Space Center Houston with more than 300 vendor spaces and educational information geared toward motorcycle enthusiasts.

Various group rides will be scheduled throughout the event touring surrounding communities and destinations, including historic League City, Nassau Bay, Seabrook, Webster, LaPorte, the San Jacinto Monument, and the Kemah Boardwalk.

Additionally, the Women Riders Convention will be an essential aspect of the Inaugural Bay Area Rally, with panelists joining the symposium from the AMA, Kawasaki, BMW Motorad USA, Harley-Davidson, the Women’s Motorcyclist Foundation, Inc. and Yamaha Motor Corp. USA. There will be hands-on seminars for women such as group riding strategies, solo riding, packing and traveling tips, culminating with a group ride that will benefit the eradication of breast cancer through the Susan G. Komen for a Cure Houston Affiliate.

Another benefit ride among the four days of activities will be held Saturday, April 12 when the Space City Riders host the First Annual David Beverly Memorial Ride in support of the Children’s Miracle Network. With more than 450 motorcycle enthusiasts, the Space City Riders invite all attendees who wish to commemorate David Beverly. Beverly first began the Space City Riders in 1997 with only 24 members. He made a special effort to support charity events and was a noted participant in rides benefiting children.

Also, from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 12 at Space Center Houston, guests will enjoy live music and entertainment at the Outlaw Music Festival, featuring No Justice of Stillwater, Okla.; Back Porch Mary of Austin, Texas; Texas Renegade; Jackson Taylor; and Grammy Award-nominated Texas legend Billy Joe Shaver.

In conjunction with the Inaugural Bay Area Rally is Yuri’s Night, an international celebration held April 12 every year to commemorate the first human in space, Yuri Gagarin on April 12, 1961, and the first Space Shuttle launch on April 12, 1981. People will celebrate together on April 12th in more than 40 individual events and 20 countries around the world.

Police officers from across the country will join the Inaugural Bay Area Rally to take the Police Rodeo Challenge. “Rodeos,” as these skills competitions are sometimes called, are a way for officers to develop inter-departmental communication in their area. The officers will compete in individual and team competitions throughout the day on Saturday beginning at 10 a.m.

Guests wishing to change gears for a while are invited, as part of their Bay Area Rally ticket purchase, to experience Space Center Houston, enjoying such activities as Space Center and Blast Off Theaters; NASA tours; Astronaut and Starship Galleries; Feel of Space; Kids Space Place; and much more.

Rally attendees are also invited to the 13th Annual Clear Lake Crawfish Festival on Friday and Saturday at Clear Lake Park/Landoldt Pavilion for free admission with a Bay Area Rally wristband.

Advance purchase wristbands start at $25 for adults, $15 for children four to 11 and are free for children three and under. Wristbands are available online at www.BayAreaRally.com.

Provided by the American Motorcyclist Association.