Gonzales rolls out red carpet for National Bikers Roundup

An organizer for the National Bikers Roundup said the Gonzales community “has been great” in welcoming the single biggest gathering of minority motorcycle enthusiasts in the United States, which started Tuesday, July 29 at JB Wells Expo, Park and Arena and continues through Sunday, Aug. 3.

Antwain “Da Mayor” Waters said it was decided at last year’s roundup in Springfield, Illinois, to bring the six-day muster to Texas, which got them looking for a spot that would be closer to Central Texas “so that everyone that’s in Texas can come to one spot and make it better for travel for the most part.”

“That's where Gonzales came in play, and the community has been great,” Waters said. “They have accepted us. They've shown us nothing but love, and said, ‘Hey, come have a good time’ so that's why we chose you guys.

“There will be people coming in from all over, from New York, Texas, of course, California, Washington, Georgia, and some of those people, even though they're coming here, they'll either stop in (San Antonio, Houston, Austin, etc.) before, during or after the roundup.”

An attendance of at least 40,000 people were expected to come to Gonzales, making this perhaps the biggest event to come to the First Shot city since the Willie Nelson picnic celebrating the American bicentennial on July 4, 1976.

So what should someone coming to the event for the first time — especially a Gonzales County local — expect at the National Bikers Roundup?

“Expect a lot of fun, a lot of music, a lot of friendship, fellowship,” Waters said. “My first roundup was in 2003 I think was Milwaukee, Wisconsin (home of Harley-Davidson, by the way). And it was nothing but love, like I could go from my campsite and go to another campsite, and people didn't even know who I was, and they still embraced me. ‘Hey, you want something to eat? You want something to drink, reach in that cooler. Make you a plate.’ You can have a good time.”

That family atmosphere is a big selling point for the event. The National Bikers Roundup is the largest camping motorcycle rally held in the United States each year and is organized by several primarily African-American motorcycle clubs. There are strict rules that all attendees must follow: no weapons; no ATVs; no drones; no four-wheelers and no glass containers allowed.

More than 1,000 motorcycle clubs attend the event each year, and African-American women make up close to half of the participants.

“A lot of the people that you'll see out here are first responders, military vets — myself as well,” Waters said. “I was in Marine Corps. You'll see people that are from all works and ways in the land, whether it's law enforcement, lawyers, doctors, so on and so forth. For us, it's like a big family.”

Waters said there will be something special at this year’s National Bikers Roundup, which is the 48th one.

“I’ve never heard of it and never seen it before. There’s always been racing, for the most part, but there’s never been a street race and that’s going to happen this year (on Cal Maine Road near Waelder),” Waters said. “From what I understand, they just poured fresh black top out there and it should be easy to hook up the bikes.”

The street racing will take place from 3 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1 and Saturday, Aug. 2 and can be attended by the public. County officials will close the road during that time period and have first responders on hand to make sure it is a safe venue.

There will also be nationally recognized music acts performing Thursday, Friday and Saturday, including Marcus Ardoin & Da Zydeco Legendz; DJ Interlude; Keyun & the Zydeco Masters; Marco Richh; Fat Daddy; Mr. Smoke & The Smoke Band; and Trae The Truth.

Wristbands for general admission are $30 per person and will get you out to all events at JB Wells this entire week, Waters said, adding he looks forward to seeing locals and visitors alike “come and take it” when it comes to having fun at the National Bikers Roundup.

For more information, check out National Bikers Roundup on Facebook.