High-flying stunt rider combats wind at River Days
Aquatic shows, historical re-enactments, crafts and kids activities also part of event
By Denise G. Callahan, Staff Writer Updated 8:38 AM Monday, September 13, 2010
HAMILTON — Brisk winds on Sunday threatened to ground a high-flying attraction at the Great Miami River Days Festival.
Clint Esposito flew up a 20-foot ramp and let go of his bike completely, risking life and limb to entertain the crowd late Sunday afternoon.
The stunt motorcycle rider, of Team FMX East, was forced to abort a couple runs as stiff winds blew across the river — not ideal conditions to fly high in the air on a bike, according to Jesse VonStein, one of the festival committee members.
“When you get up 20 feet in the air, the wind plays havoc,” he said. “When you are dealing with a 30-foot landing ramp and you’re 75 feet in the air, it’ll blow you, so we have to watch the air.”
But the show, albeit a bit abbreviated, did go on. This was the first time the motorcycle riders participated in the annual riverfront event.
Richard and Shannon Hilton of Hamilton, who patiently waited for the show to start with their three girls, said they have been coming to River Days for a couple years now.
“It’s an inexpensive family event,” Shannon Hilton said.
Her husband agreed. “It’s something where you don’t have to drop a lot of money to have fun,” he said.
The two-day festival featured aquatic shows such as water and jet skiers, kids games — including the world’s largest pinball machine — food vendors, musical groups, historical re-enactments and crafts.
This year, the event also included a tribute to those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.
Sunday’s activities included shows on the water by Typhoon Tommy and the Badgerland Water Ski Team. Children’s activities included a scavenger hunt, with the prize being a new bicycle. Birds of prey that are housed at Hueston Woods were on display, and “natural science song and dance man” Chris Rowlands performed for the crowd.
Hamilton resident Janice Perry, who said she is a regular every year, said she enjoys the American Indian traditions and boat shows. But she said what really draws her out is the sense of community.
“The community all comes out and there is such a fellowship,” she said. “It’s just a tradition.”
The river walk was still crowded with people as vendors packed up their tents late Sunday.
VonStein said crowds thinned out a bit on Saturday because of the rain, but it was a successful event.
“All in all I think it was a great event,” he said. “We were hoping for 80,000 people this year, but I don’t think we quite hit that.”
Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4525 or dcallahan@coxohio.com.
http://www.journal-news.com/news/hamilton-news/high-flying-stunt-rider-combats-wind-at-river-days-913564.html
ไม่มีความคิดเห็น:
แสดงความคิดเห็น