You may have heard or felt the rumble as the Harleys move through the Pee Dee to descend on the Grand Strand.
The bulk of the bikers aren't here yet as the spring Harley-Davidson rally is still two days away.
However, the vendors are getting ready.
The rally officially kicks off Friday and you will find vendors on the north end at Barefoot Landing and on the south end at biker bar Suck Bang Blow.
Harley-Davidson spokesman Mike Shank says while the bike rallies are always exciting a lot of people are anxious to see what happens this year because of the changes in Myrtle Beach and Horry County. Myrtle Beach council passed a series of laws designed to curb the rallies and Horry County council passed new laws limiting the number and location of rally vendors.
But, it is rally business as usual in North Myrtle Beach as vendors get ready at Barefoot Landing. Shank says while there aren't as many vendors as last year, people are still excited. "The feel of it's a little different, but people are excited about being at Barefoot in North Myrtle Beach, because they feel welcome up there and we feel like that people will come north and go south so we that it will be a good location."
On the south end at Suck Bang Blow, Todd Price says he's moved most of his vendors inside, and while it does take up more space, he says the vendors are essential. Price says because of the city's new laws, many bikers will likely avoid the city and he hopes that means more people inside and outside. But Price says the economy may have more of an impact on this year's rally than any changes from the city or the county.
"We've cut back just about everywhere, I mean I cut back on ordering, I cut back on everything, I mean the economy would've probably been a fifteen, twenty percent whack to us to begin with and with myrtle beach's actions on top of that, I don't know what to expect.”
Price says the profits from spring rally and the one in fall make or break Suck Bang Blow for the year and this year, he's not sure what's going to happen. "What will make it a success for us is if we make enough money to keep our doors open and keep everybody on the payroll."
Horry County public information officer Lisa Bourcier says so far, 144 vendors are expected across the county for this year's rally. And if you want to set up a booth, it's not too late; there are still some spots available. Log on the county’s website at http://www.horrycounty.org to find our more information.
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