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Thousands of spectators lined Main Street in Johnstown on Saturday for the annual Grand Thunder Parade.
It was part of the 15th annual Thunder in the Valley motorcycle rally that draws bikers from around the country.
As hundreds of bikers rumbled past Central Park, 15-year-old Jericho Tressler of the Johnstown area was enthralled by the variety of motorcycles. There was something more that he enjoyed.
“The noise and the smell of the exhaust,” he said.
There was plenty of both.
Organizers typically don’t keep track of how many bikers participate, but they called Saturday a big day that was part
of an event that seems to be bigger every year.
“Judging by the crowds along the parade route and the sea of motorcycles, we’re definitely having a banner day,” said Lisa Rager, executive director of the Greater Johnstown/Cambria County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Some spectators drank lemonade and munched on sausages as four Marines led the parade. Many applauded the Marines who marched by carrying a Marine Corps flag and an American flag.
They were followed by two bagpipers dressed in kilts, bikers dressed in leather and the clop, clop, clop of the Budweiser Clydesdales.
The Clydesdales receive between 500 and 600 requests to attend events each year, said Scott Smith, program manager for the horse entourage.
The list is shaved down to about 120 events this year, including Johnstown.
“We’re here at Thunder in the Valley to kick off the parade,” Smith said.
“We’re really excited about being here and participating in this great event.”
U.S. Rep. Mark Critz,
D-Johnstown, and state Sen. John Wozniak, D-Westmont, were spotted riding motorcycles in the parade, along with city police officers.
Spectators waved and snapped photographs as the bikers passed.
Members of TNT Cheerleading, 445 Schoolhouse Road, sold bottled water along Main Street to raise money for a trip to the national competition in April.
“We’re fundraising for our season,” cheerleading instructor Courtney Fiechek said.
“We thought we would come out here and take advantage of Thunder in the Valley and
mingle with some of the bikers.”
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Participants in Saturday’s Grand Thunder Parade move along Roosevelt Boulevard. The parade is one of Thunder in the Valley’s most popular events for bikers and spectators.
Discussion
‘A banner day’: Grand Thunder Parade delights spectators
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