North America's Oldest Women's Motorcycle Club to Hold 65th Anniversary Convention in Hagerstown, Maryland

Motor Maids, North America's oldest and largest all-women's motorcycle riding club, will hold its 65th Anniversary Convention starting on July 4th, 2005. More than 150 attendees, consisting of Motor Maids and their spouses, will be staying at the Clarion Hotel & Convention Center for the three-day gathering in Hagerstown, Maryland.

Hagerstown, MD (PRWEB) June 15, 2005 -- Motor Maids, North America's oldest women's motorcycle riding club, will roll into Hagerstown on July 4, 2005, for its 65th Anniversary Convention. More than 150 attendees, consisting of Motor Maids and their spouses, will be staying at the Clarion Hotel & Convention Center for the three-day gathering.

The Motor Maids Convention will begin on July 5th with opening ceremonies. Hagerstown Mayor Dick Trump and Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau President Tom Riford are expected to officially welcome the convention attendees.

"We're very pleased to help host the Motor Maids North American convention in Washington County. There are a lot of activities planned during the event, and we look forward to being able to welcome these fine ladies to our community." Riford said that this 65th annual convention is special, and on behalf of the citizens of Washington County, that the CVB was very pleased to have won the opportunity to host the national event.

A traditional convention parade, starting at the Clarion Hotel and traveling West through Hagerstown on Route 40, is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday July 5th. The Motor Maids will have a police escort and the public is encouraged to watch along the parade route.

Though much of the convention involves business meetings at the hotel, the Motor Maids will have several opportunities to get out and enjoy Washington County during their stay. Soon after their arrival on July 4th, they will attend the patriotic fireworks display at Fairgrounds Park. The convention schedule has also allowed for them to have some free time for sightseeing, at which time they plan to visit Fort Frederick State Park and Antietam National Battlefield, as well as the Harley Davidson dealership in Williamsport.

Spouses, commonly known as Motor Maids Auxiliary, are not allowed to attend the Motor Maids business meetings and will be doing lots of sightseeing. The men will be touring Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania, and also tour the crash site of Flight 93 in Somerset, Pennsylvania.

Wednesday is the annual Dot Robinson Run, named for the Motor Maids co-founder. It is a road course - with a twist. Participants will be given written directions to follow from the Clarion Hotel to Byron Memorial Park in Williamsport. The object is for each participant to average a speed of 30 miles per hour and follow the route to the endpoint. Various checkpoints are set up at undisclosed locations along the route to check speed. Participants will have points deducted for going too fast, to slow or not following the route correctly. The first person to reach the end with the least number of deductions wins.

Wednesday evening activities will include a 65th Birthday Party celebration, with the theme of "traditions" being the focus. The event will include a slide show about the organization throughout the years. Members will also play games such as Motor Maid Jeopardy and enjoy a Hula-Hoop contest. A local DJ will provide music and, of course, there will be a birthday cake large enough for all to share.

"The convention will come to a close on Thursday, July 7th with the Motor Maids banquet," said Hagerstown member and convention co-planner Carole Keyser. The evening event will include recognition in the form of awards given to members who traveled the farthest to attend and to Life, Silver and Gold Life Members. "These women will be recognized because they have been with the organization for so long, and are really the backbone of the Motor Maids," said Keyser.

The Motor Maids have a Convention each July in a different part of the country. This year's convention was awarded to Hagerstown over a community in New Mexico. It has previously been held in Staunton, Virginia, and York, Pennsylvania, but this is the Motor Maids' first stay in Hagerstown. Members of the Motor Maids may only attend convention on a motorcycle and can easily be identified by their uniform of gray slacks, a royal blue over-blouse, white boots and a tie. It is a formal group, founded in 1940, and many of the women that joined were motorcycle couriers in World War II. The Motor Maids have "districts" that meet throughout the United States and Canada. More than fifty events are held annually each year.

The founding premise of the Motor Maids was to unite women motorcyclists in promoting motorcycle safety and interest. The original requirement for membership still stands strong today: women who legally own and operate their own motorcycle or one belonging to a family member.

For more information, see: http://www.motormaids.org
For information about Hagerstown-Washington County, Maryland, see: www.marylandmemories.com.

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