Dear Editor,
Thunder-Rode Motorcycle Accessories hosted their 4th annual “Thunder-Rode BikeFest” from May 15th-17th, at 102 E. Beale Street, Kingman, Arizona. Thunder-Rode BikeFest, featuring three days of activities, including: an all-encompassing street market with local vendors, Miss & Little Miss Thunder-Rode search, and live music. Admittance was FREE the entire weekend for all guests. Approximately 3000-5000 bikers strolled through the gates at Thunder-Rode BikeFest during Arizona Route 66 Bike Week from New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, California, and our home state of Arizona and from cities and countries around the globe.
The fun-filled three-day event kicked off Friday morning, May 15 at 12:00 noon with Karaoke by SCOJO rocking the BikeFest 2026. The wind kicked up Friday & Saturday, but the Thunder-Rode BikeFest, having done some fore-planning and wind protection, continued unimpeded throughout the weekend
Day 2 of Kingman’s BikeFest 2026 saw Kingman’s famous ‘ET’ Elmer Simeon put on a spectacular performance of his Jimi Hendrix style musical talents. Thunder-Rode BikeFest hi-lighted Heart Rock Band’s soul-shattering music, featuring Sherry Bergquist, Thunder-Rode’s own Shop Manager and Ben Campbell’s concert-quality guitar, with their amazing musical talent and Sherry’s world-class voice. As a family-friendly event, kids and adults alike played games for prizes. Children played bouncy ball races and basketball in order to win toy hogs and balloons as prizes. Sunglasses were available for the toy hogs, but could only be obtained by playing a game. Participants took photos of their hogs wearing sunglasses in various places for a chance to win a leather jacket
Day 3 saw more welcoming Arizona sunshine. Krisy Thompson rocked the house during their Sunday performance, what an amazing singer! The Miss Thunder-Rode Search finale was held on Sunday. The crowd went wild over 9-year-old winner Peighton Byers, who was overwhelmingly voted in as Little Miss Thunder-Rode 2026 and the beautiful & vivacious ‘Miss Q’, Lequietta Perkins, was awarded the distinguished Miss Thunder-Rode pink vest and will grace the cover of the 2027 Thunder-Rode calendar. ‘Miss Q’ & Little Miss Peighton will be featured in numerous publications & posts throughout the coming year.
Numerous vendors lined Vendor Alley, in the famous Thunder-Rode Event Center for attendees to shop unique items, including custom biker jewelry, specialty spices and more. Food vendors were available to all attendees throughout the three-day event featuring delicious Sophia’s Kitchen & Smashburger as well as delectable sweet treats. Free ice and water, clean restrooms, and an air-conditioned shop to cool off inside was available to all attendees.
A huge thank you to The Husband & Wife Law Firm, Phoenix Truck Driving School at Mohave Community College & Sousa Fencing, Kingman’s premier local fencing company, for their continued support and sponsorship of Thunder-Rode’s BikeFest and the Miss Thunder-Rode Stage; Linda Owens, what a wonderful lady, of Kingman Party Rentals, again, for donating chairs and tables to the Thunder-Rode BikeFest; Jeff, Thunder-Rode’s exceptional Facilities Manager and Dan for tent set-up and security. Extra Special Thank You to Swaskegame Post 14 American Legion and the American Legion Riders Post 14 for their tireless efforts to provide the adult beverages concession, which raised $$$hundreds$$$ for our Arizona Veterans. Please, support these generous businesses and organizations.
Jack Alexander
jack@thunder-rode.com
