Located three miles north of Mancos on Highway 184, Sugar Pine Ranch is a working cattle operation, but over Labor Day weekend, the estate is transformed into a festival-like atmosphere \u2014 complete with live music, camping, freestyle motocross demonstrations, bike show, impromptu tire burnouts, bikini contest, a dice run, a male \u201cbuns in chaps\u201d contest and of course, beer. The seventh annual four-day event kicks off on Thursday.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s always been my goal to have the biggest party in Montezuma County,\u201d said festival director Joyce Humiston. \u201cI think I\u2019ve succeeded.\u201d<\/p>\n
Most attendees are from the Four Corners regions, but organizers expect bikers from across the United States and even the globe to descend into the Mancos Valley this weekend.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really like seeing the people come back year after year,\u201d Humiston said. \u201cIt\u2019s just a good time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Riding motorcycles since she was 18, Humiston remains young at heart today on her Yamaha V Star 1300. She admits Harley-Davidson purists occasionally rib her motorcycle selection, but she rides with no worries.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe best part about riding is that I can\u2019t hear my phone ring,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Humiston said the biggest misconception about bikers is that they are all bad people, clad in leather. Most, however, are professionals who simply like to let their hair down. She works as a nurse at a local nursing home.<\/p>\n
A three-day pass to the rally is $45, and proceeds from the event help fund the national Home for Heroes program, Mancos Ladies Auxiliary and the Mancos Boy Scouts.<\/p>\n
For additional information, visit www.sugarpineranchrally.com.<\/p>\n