The Board of Directors of Roar on the Shore motorcycle rally based in Erie, announced the discontinuing of the event on Thursday. The full release is below:
Following significant evaluation, the Roar on the Shore Board of Directors today announced that it has decided that the Roar on the Shore® Bike Week has reached a point in time where it will not continue. Recognizing that a multitude of factors played a role in the decision, the Board expressed its sincere appreciation to all the individuals and organizations that contributed to the charitable motorcycle rally’s contributions over the years.
“We are so proud of and pleased with the significant impact the event has had on our community and what we’ve been able to accomplish for great charities and causes,” the Board stated. “The success of both the event and money raised since its inception is a direct result of all of those involved that put their touch to each year’s gathering. We would like to thank our partners, sponsors, vendors, entertainers, staff, volunteers, bikers, attendees and first responders for their effort and dedication to pulling off an event that we could all be proud of and one that will be fondly remembered by thousands for many years to come.”
Roar on the Shore®, a stand-alone 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity, was originally created in 2007 with two primary purposes: to promote the community, the City of Erie, Erie County and Northwest Pennsylvania and to bring awareness and raise funds for worthwhile charities in the area. Roar Executive Director Ralph Pontillo, who is credited with having the original idea for the Roar®, was instrumental in carrying out the rally’s mission until his untimely passing in September 2019.
“Ralph brought together bikers and businesses in a way that Erie has never experienced before, and we are forever grateful for the opportunity to work with him and give back to the community we all love for so many years,” the Board stated.
Roar on the Shore® Bike Week had an incredible ride. The rally drew more than 100,000 visitors to Erie each year and generated a nearly $25 million economic boost to the region annually. The event also raised and donated approximately $1 million to charitable organizations. Past recipients include: John Kanzius Research, Shriners Hospitals for Children – Erie, local veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, SafeNet’s Big Backyard Children’s Garden, the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, the Perry 200 Commemoration, Boys & Girls Club of Erie, Saint Patrick’s Haven, Erie Homes for Children & Adults’ Project First Step, St. Martin Center Playground, Mercy Center for Women, the Sarah A. Reed Children’s Center and the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Erie County’s (NAMI) Homefront program.
