NASWA hosts 103rd birthday bash for Motorcycle Week

LACONIA — The NazBar & Grill and The NASWA Resort was hopping on Wednesday, when Gov. Kelly Ayotte joined in on the fun to celebrate the 103rd birthday of Laconia Motorcycle Week.

“103 years, the oldest rally in the world,” NASWA owner Cynthia Makris said. “I mean, think about it. In the Lakes Region, in Laconia, this is where we’re from. Our pride is amazing. I’m so full of gratitude to the people that continue to come back here generation after generation for all these years.”

The NASWA has been heavily involved in Laconia Motorcycle Week for nearly its entirety, 91 years to be exact. Makris’ father, the late Peter Makris, was instrumental in the 1960s through 1980s in keeping what was then Motorcycle Weekend going. Peter and his wife Hope, who died last year at age 100, rode until they were 82 years old.

“We had some rough times back then, and some people probably didn’t want it, but we worked hard to keep it coming back,” Makris said. “It’s so important to our economy. It’s so important. The kids aren’t out of the school year yet the second weekend in June, when Motorcycle Week starts.”

Makris said the nine-day event typically brings in more than $100 million in revenue statewide.

Ayotte showed up to The NASWA just before 5 p.m. on Wednesday to the birthday celebration, and she walked around to meet people, and even took a turn behind the bar. She poured a beer for Executive Councilor Joe Kenney, as a reward for serving the Granite State.

“She promised me she’d get me a beer after a long day,” Kenney said with a grin.

Ayotte admitted she got solid instructions from Makris, and the end result was what appeared to be a perfect pour, which Kenney acknowledged.

Along with Ayotte and Kenney, Liquor Commission Chief Mark Armaganian and a couple of his officers came to the party. City leaders also attended, including Mayor Mike Bordes and City Manager Kirk Beattie.

“I’ve been coming for years, before I was a state rep,” said Bordes, who is currently the Republican acting chair of the Belknap County Delegation. “You know, 103 years is a long time. Let’s keep it going.”

City Councilor Jon Hildreth (Ward 1) arrived at the party on his 2019 Royal Enfield motorcycle, and noted he has been to quite a few rallies over the years.

“I haven’t been to them all, 103 years is crazy, but I have been to a good portion,” Hildreth said. “Seven decades. I’ve seen many iterations of Motorcycle Week.”

Leaders from surrounding communities also showed up, including Meredith Town Manager Judie Milner.

Police Chief Matt Canfield and Fire Chief Tim Joubert were also at The NASWA for the celebration. Canfield said it had been a strong week numbers-wise, and while there are always crowd control aspects, issues had been minimal.

Joubert pointed out Laconia Motorcycle Week is such a good thing for the city and surrounding communities. He noted the Makris family should be thanked and credited for their assistance to the fire department.

“Cynthia and her family have been huge supporters for first responders over the years,” Joubert said. “Their constant contributions to the fire department have helped improve the overall safety of the city.”

Makris made sure she introduced Ayotte to Manuel E. Garcia and Belinda Celinas, a pair of riders who made it to Laconia all the way from Gilroy, California. Deputy Director Jennifer Anderson met the couple at dinner earlier in the week. The cousins told her they had taken the nearly 3,200-mile journey for their first Motorcycle Week adventure.

Garcia and Celinas agreed it had been a “fabulous” week. They participated in the Peter Makris Memorial Ride on June 13, which kicks off the rally. They really enjoyed being able to ride the track at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, in Loudon, and said they have been staying at The NASWA, and were having a blast.

“We hope you come back,” Ayotte told them.

Ayotte introduced herself to people at the beach bar, spoke with NASWA employees, and even requested Led Zeppelin from DJ Terry Moran, who has been pumping out jams for three decades at The NASWA. Bordes, a DJ himself, got to talking music with the governor, who reminded him when she was elected, she made sure to have Zeppelin blasting.

Anderson arrived just after the governor, and then shortly after, Motorcycle Week Executive Director Charlie St. Clair walked down the beach to greet Ayotte. It was time for the cutting of the cake, made by Craig Brooks. Brooks is a NASWA employee here on a work visa from Jamaica, who apprenticed under Hope Makris for three years.

“He is the protégé, who has all Hope’s recipes down,” Cynthia said, noting while they served a chocolate cake with vanilla frosting, her mother was known for her carrot cake.

Before she was handed the knife, Ayotte addressed the crowd.

“It’s always fantastic to be at The NASWA, especially to celebrate the 103rd Motorcycle Week, and this is the place to do it, right?” Ayotte asked.

Ayotte said Motorcycle Week is such an important part of New Hampshire, with people coming to the Lakes Region from around the globe, for the “best motorcycle event you can have in the world.”

“What’s better in New Hampshire than a beautiful day like this, celebrating and cutting some cake for the 103rd Motorcycle Week? We’re really proud of Motorcycle Week here in New Hampshire. We’ve already had a great weekend of weather, and the guests here are going to have another great weekend of weather.”

As Moran fired up “Good Times Roll" by Boston-based classic rock legends The Cars, Ayotte, Makris and Anderson blew out candles on the cake, and then cooperatively cut the ceremonial first slice, as St. Clair looked on, smiling.

Anderson said afterward it has been so generous of Ayotte to spend time in Laconia for Motorcycle Week, and said it is clear visitors enjoyed her presence. With the mayor, city councilors, law enforcement and first responders also congregating for the event, she was impressed by the cooperation between the group of leaders.

“It really speaks to the actual partnership we have here,” Anderson said.

St. Clair said with a few more days to go, he was happy with this year’s event, and having this mid-week birthday bash was a breath of fresh air.

“This is nice,” St. Clair said. “It’s a very relaxing moment in a sea of chaos.”

Now three years past the century mark, Motorcycle Week appears to be going as strong as ever. Makris, who is also president of the Laconia Motorcycle Week Association, said her resort sits less than a mile from rally headquarters, and has been slammed throughout the week.

While some people have reported numbers are down, Makris and rally organizers said they’ve personally seen otherwise, noting the Gunstock Hill Climb brought in close to 10,000 spectators.

“This year is much better than last year,” Makris said. “We’ve had a full house. It’s been wonderful, starting from the first weekend.”