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EVENT Annual ThunderStruck Bike Show comes to downtown Medford The 19th annual ThunderStruck Xtreme Bike Show and Street Party is this weekend Comment By Cindy Quick Wilson for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Cindy Quick Wilson for the Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 12, 2015 at 12:29 PM By Cindy Quick Wilson for the Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 12, 2015 at 12:29 PM » Social News Downtown Medford rocks each August with the sounds of the summer's best outdoor event. Motorcycle owners from all over Southern Oregon bring everything from proudly stock to outrageously custom motorcycles to the annual ThunderStruck Xtreme Bike Show and Street Party. “I can’t believe we’ve been doing this for 19 years,” says Mark Daley, owner of ThunderStruck Custom Bikes. Over the years, Daley has raised more than a quarter of a million dollars for local Boys and Girls clubs. “Our first year we made less than $1,000. Last year, we pulled in over $26,000. I think people like knowing the money goes for kids right here in Jackson County.” This year’s show will be held Saturday, Aug. 15, and hundreds of show bikes ranging from radical customs to street stock, metric cruisers and specialty builds with glitter along two blocks of Front Street between Sixth and Fourth streets. Look for a display of Daley's own award-winning custom choppers, along with bikes from Vintage Motorcyclists, some beautiful big rigs from JDT Trucking and an assortment of custom street rods. "This year we'll have booths for Boring's Upholstery, Erik's Trick Restos and the Combat Hero Bike Build program," Daley says. "We also have great raffle prizes and a 50-50 drawing." Each year, Daley builds a custom bike for a selected combat veteran, and this year's recipient will be at the site of the festivities, which will include vendors, food, a beer garden and live music by Hog Wild, a high-energy, five-piece band. Bike show registration begins at 11 a.m. with judging from 1 to 3 p.m. Trophies will be awarded around 3:30 p.m. A variety of classes feature extreme customs, street stock, metric cruisers, vintage bikes, a lady's division and even a class for the most unusual. “It’s not just about customs or Harleys,” Daley says. "We welcome any kind of motorcycle. The entry fee is only $10, and the money all goes to benefit Boys and Girls Clubs of Jackson County.” The Boys and Girls Club in Talent works with local disadvantaged youngsters. “We are so fortunate that we’ve been the sole recipient from ThunderStruck,” says Jeff Cox, athletic director of the countywide organization. “Over the years, Mark has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to us, which has become a big part of our annual funding.” As the event has grown through the years, Daley says he and his wife, Betsy, couldn’t do it without their generous sponsors and a dedicated group of volunteers who put in countless hours to make the event a success. “It does take a lot of work,” Daley admits, “but when I read the thank-you letters that the kids write themselves, that makes it all worth it.” In the highly competitive world of original custom motorcycle design and fabrication, Daley has made a name for himself regionally, nationally and internationally for his creativity and talent for making metal, chrome and horsepower a thing of beauty. He has won trophies from prestigious national and world-class bike-building competitions such as Artistry in Iron in 2009 and 2012, and the AMD World Championship in 2010, held in Sturgis, S.D. Yet hanging with the likes of Orange County Choppers, Billy Lane, Paul Yaffe and the late Indian Larry has not gone to his head. He continues to value family, friends and giving back to his community above the glitter of international recognition. For many years, Daley has been involved with the annual Rogue Valley Christmas Toy Run, the yearly Brittney Ride, the Combat Hero Bike Build program and many local causes. So come for the fun. Come for the eye candy. And come because having this great party helps your neighbors to do something wonderful for some local boys and girls. By Cindy Quick Wilson for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Cindy Quick Wilson for the Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 12, 2015 at 12:29 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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