Motorcycles And Memories Arrive At The Tap

An early in the day picture from the Rock Island Tap where the 6th Annual Marty Davidson Bike Show was held.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – The rumble of motorcycles was mixed with music and laughter at the 6th Annual Marty Davidson Bike Show on Saturday at the Rock Island Tap.

Rock Island Tap owner Wade Davidson said his dad, Marty, passed away six years ago.

Marty Duff, when he owned the Pub, got in touch with Wade, and decided to put on an event. The event has been hosted annually since then, except for last year.

“We came back this year, and tried to do it even bigger and better,” said Davidson.

“The whole purpose of this is to get everybody together that’s ever lost somebody,” said Davidson. “Brothers, sisters, bikers, family members, kids, whatever.”

Davidson said there is a plan to donate whatever proceeds there are that come from the show to a cause or causes in the community.

Motorcycles have always been a special part of the Davidson family, and for Wade, his dad gave him his first ’67 Shovelhead “way back in the day.”

“Then we started riding, and getting out every Sunday,” said Wade on spending time with his father. “Enjoying the day after he got back from driving truck, for the past 37 years.”

“This is awesome,” says Wade as he survey’s all the activity going on at the Rock Island Tap. “Of course, everybody loved my dad for the most part. He was a good dude. Trying to keep that going by myself, but this is great. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

With handcrafted trophies, the bike show is always popular.

Local band favorites Journey’s End and Fatal Addiction helped to make the party complete.

“This is good for Oskaloosa. Giving back and doing something good,” said Wade in closing.