Local News

Unspecified Threat Shuts Down Grayslake Bike Show

Village Gives Few Details About Threat; Organizers Furious

GRAYSLAKE, Ill. (CBS) ― Tens of thousands of bikers heading to Lake County will have no place to ride. The Village of Grayslake pulled the permit for a huge event at the fairgrounds, just two days ahead of time.

CBS 2's Susan Carlson reports on what prompted the cancellation.

Grayslake Police say a threat came in and they were concerned about public safety. But the organizer says he thinks they were the victims of profiling and as a result he is out of $150,000 – not to mention thousands more lost to vendors.

This was supposed to be the largest private bike show in the Midwest. Up to 40,000 bike enthusiasts were expected at the Lake County Fairgrounds Sunday for the 4th Annual Ironhorse Roundup Bike Show. Large crowds have shown up in years past, but this year's was supposed to be the biggest yet with 100 vendors planning on participating, bike stunt performances, a snowboard exhibition, and a roster of entertainment that included Vince Neil of Mötley Crüe.

But organizer Mark Khayat said at the very last minute the Village of Grayslake yanked their permit.

"I think they were just nervous that bike people are rowdy, and it's just like any other event," he said. "We've had it for three years, here at Austin's (Libertyville-based bar Austin's Saloon and Eatery, a sponsor of the event)
and we had 18,000 people here last year and we haven't had one incident here in three years – not a violation, not a ticket, not drunk and disorderly, nothing." 

In a news release on the Web site for Austin's saloon, owner Mark Khayat wrote: "I feel this is more of a discrimination against bikers instead of a threat. For anyone that knows our organization you will be familiar with the attention to detail that we take in each and every promotion that we do and at no time would we ever put anyone in harm's way. We didn't receive any details when he learned of the cancellation about 4:30 p.m. Friday," Khayat said.

The Web site encouraged visitors to call the Grayslake mayor and police chief in protest.

The Village of Grayslake issued a statement after canceling the permit for the event on Friday: "Based upon the information obtained, the Grayslake Police Department became concerned about circumstances which threaten the health and public safety of those attending the event and the people of Grayslake," the release said, adding that "adequate protection could not be maintained" and so the village had no choice but to cancel the event.

CBS 2 contacted both the Village of Grayslake and the police department Saturday and no one was available to comment further or explain this threat. But whatever the circumstances, they obviously didn't want to take any chances.

The event was moved to the fairground this year due to the expected turnout, the Daily Herald reported.

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