Big motorcycle event begins Friday in Scott City

Spectators and participants are invited to the Lawless Freedom Rally this weekend in Scott City to enjoy motorcycle shows, arm wrestling, biker games and more.

Organizers hail the event as an opportunity to "celebrate the freedom of the open road, meet fellow bike enthusiasts" or simply "come out and have a good time."

The event begins Friday with live musical performances at 1 p.m. Vendors also will be set up at 2100 E. Outer Road.

Among the vendors attending will be Mark Brodie, well-known for his custom design work on motorcycles and NASCAR rides. Among the professional racers who drove cars graced with Brodie's designs were Dale Earnhardt Sr., Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mark Martin. During the rally, he will be available in the Lawless Harley-Davidson dealership for custom pin-striping, photos and autographs.

Another special guest is Wild Thang monster truck driver and owner Doug Charles. He will perform all weekend, crushing cars and performing stunts, and will be available for photos and autographs.

On Saturday at 9 a.m., motorcycle owners may register to participate in the Freedom Ride at Isle Casino Cape Girardeau. Police will escort a parade of motorcycles through downtown, past the Veterans Home and down to Scott City. Participation requires a $20 donation per motorcycle, $10 for veterans and members of the military, with all donations going to "Veteran Outdoors." The show seeks to raise public awareness about the therapeutic effects of the outdoors on the mental and physical disabilities of wounded veterans. It airs on the Sportsman Channel.

At 1 p.m. Saturday is the Freedom Rally Tribute. Tim Kennedy, U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret and a professional mixed-martial arts fighter, will be the grand marshal of the event honoring veterans. U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class and "Veteran Outdoors" show member Toby Nunn will be a special guest. The event also includes special performances by Jennifer Hathaway and Stan Denninger.

Throughout the day, there will be opportunities to watch or participate in the Arm Melter Arm Wrestling Tournament, which features national champions and regional arm wrestlers. Weigh-ins begin at 10 a.m., and tournament play begins at 2 p.m. An amateur tournament also will be open for anyone to test his or her strength.

The rally ends Sunday with a free Ride-In Bike Show by Thunder Roads Magazine. Nine classes of bikes will be judged. Registration begins at 1 p.m. at the Thunder Roads Magazine booth.

The Lawless Freedom Rally is sponsored by Lawless Harley-Davidson, Isle Casino Cape Girardeau, Morlan Chevrolet Dodge Jeep, Budweiser, Geico Motorcycle, River Eagle Distributing, Texas Roadhouse, Grass Roots of Cape Girardeau, R&R Promotions, Bel Air Grill and

iluvlocalplaces.com.

More information about the rally is available at lawlessfreedomrally.com.

Pertinent address:

2100 E. Outer Road, Scott City, Mo.