A four-day motorcycle rally supporting veterans returns to Erie next week.
The second annual Roll-In for Veterans All Wheel Rally is roaring back to Erie at three locations on July 11-14. The locations include the Erie Sports Center at 8161 Oliver Road, Odis 12 Bar and Grille at 3702 W. 12th St., and Harley Davidson of Erie at 3712 W. 12th St.
All proceeds are set to go to two local veteran charities, The Veterans Miracle Center of Erie and Warriors to Washington.
Highlights from the four-day event will include chili-eating belt matches, American flag sky divers, a putt-putt challenge, Harley Davidson of Erie factory demo rides and a breakfast buffet.
"We added the new venue at Harley Davidson," said Dawn Brown, event co-coordinator. "Thursday kicks off the event where we are doing a meet and greet with the chili pepper contestants. There will be bands playing and food at Harley Davidson. Friday we are in two spots with Harley Davidson and the Erie Sports Center."
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Pepper Palooza
Another new feature this year is Pepper Palooza, a hot pepper eating contest with national competitive eaters, along with a local hot pepper eating contest.
Roll in for Veterans is still looking for contestants for the local challenge if anyone in Erie is willing to take the heat.
With the local pepper eating contest, this year there will be a putt putt challenge called "Nine Holes of Hell" where 36 contestants will eat a hot pepper after every missed putt, and each pepper gets hotter as the holes go on.
Don't miss the parade
Saturday will kick off with a parade beginning at 9:30 a.m. The parade will depart from Plyer Entry Systems at 8850 Fry Road in McKean.
The one-hour ride will end at Erie Sports Center.
"It's an all-wheel rally," Brown said. "We have the Jeep crew that's involved; the pepper palooza people will be pulled in the back in a hay wagon. They will land at the Sports Center at noon. From there we have bands going on all day. We have stuff for kids like face painting and the Brown Clowns. We have additional food vendors. Wally Sue's Lemonade will be featuring some hot lemonade to go along with the theme we have going."
There also are fireworks by J&M scheduled for 10 p.m. Saturday at Erie Sports Center.
Live music
Another key highlight for the event is live music each day at different locations. Here is the schedule for the live music and where to find it:
July 11
Harley Davidson/Odis 12
- 5-7 p.m.: Johnny Karate
- 8-9:30 p.m.: Blue Moon — Foreigner Tribute
July 12
Erie Sports Center
- 5-7 p.m.: Cherry Bomb
- 8-10 p.m.: Flight
Harley Davidson/Odis 12
- 5-7:30 p.m.: East Coast Turn Around
- 8-9:30 p.m.: Just Sabbath — Black Sabbath Tribute
July 13
Erie Sports Center
- 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Garrett Owens Band
- 2:30-4:30 p.m.: Bad Habit
- 5:30-7:30 p.m.: Gypsy Heart
- 8-10 p.m.: Sourmash
Harley Davidson/Odis 12
- 5-7 p.m.: band to be determined
July 14
Erie Sports Center
- 8-10 a.m.: Saved By Grace
- Noon-3 p.m.: Dan Douglas Band
If you go ...
- What: Roll-In for Veterans All Wheel Rally
- When: July 11-14
- Where: Erie Sports Center, 8161 Oliver Road, Odis 12 Bar and Grille at 3702 W. 12th St., and Harley Davidson of Erie at 3712 W. 12th St.
- Admission: Free
- You can learn more about this event and how to contribute by visiting their Facebook event page.
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Contact Nicholas Sorensen at nsorensen@gannett.com.
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