Charlie and Jennifer to publish history of Laconia Rally

Motorcycle Week execs looking for old photographs of Bike Week activities

Charlie St. Clair and Jennifer Anderson of the Laconia Motorcycle Week Association are compiling a pictorial history of the rally scheduled for publication in time for the 85th staging of the nation's oldest celebration of motorcycling next year.

St. Clair said that the book will be published by Arcadia Publishing of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, known locally for its books about Laconia, The Weirs and Lakeport by local historian Warren Huse. Arcadia is the leading publisher of local history books in the country with a catalog of more than 4,000 titles that grows every year.

"People have asked about a history of the rally for a long time," St. Clair said, "but we've never gotten around to it before." He explained the book will consist of some 200 photographs, printed in black-and-white, with captions. "There is nothing out there and I think this book will be very popular," he said, "not only with people here in Laconia but also with people who have come to the rally from all over the country."

"We are looking for help from people in the community who may have photographs," St, Clair said. He said that they had a large collection of photographs of the races from which to choose as well as programs from past Gypsy Tours and pictures from old editions of the Rally News. "We'd like more shots of families, street scenes, downtown and people on their lawns," he continued, "the kind of things that have never been seen before." St. Clair said he was especially eager to have photographs taken in the 1960s and earlier.

St. Clair asked that photographs be accompanied by information, particularly the names of those pictured, along with the place and date the photographs were taken. "That's what we're up against, getting photos with good information," he said.

Anderson said that anyone with photographs can call the Laconia Motorcycle Week Association office at 366-2000 or send them to P.O. Box 5399, Laconia 03247. "Everything will be returned promptly," Anderson emphasized. "This is a good opportunity to have your photos published in a book that will be distributed nationwide," St. Clair said.