Party at the Pen, Boise, ID
The Verdict: Wrenching for Life
When in the 70s the Factory named their lineup "Freedom Machines", little did they know that this here chopper show venue would be the harshest contrast imaginable with their lofty motto : The "Party at the Pen" brings an exquisite selection of custom bikes behind bars in a former prison: today a historic site, between 1872 and 1973 a working slammer, the Old Idaho State Penitentiary.
Sensitive souls may think it kinda weird to walk around, beer in hand, to appreciate artfully curated motorcycles, where in former times felons spent the rest of their lives and even death penalties were executed. But who could say no to Luke’s invitation (thanks, Luke!), and we bravely bore the moral dilemma.
After a somewhat lengthy journey we touched down
in Boise, Idaho, population 250.000, everything clean and well kept, a prime example of a, let’s say, less than exciting American small town. That’s what we thought. Being late to arrive we missed the scenic ride to the Ponderosa Pines Scenic Route (didn’t have bikes too, come to think of it), went straight to downtown Boise and found an exuberant party atmosphere. It’s a university town, so good cheer and cold beer everywhere. After some necessary rehydration we then went to the PPPP (Party-at-the-Pen-PreParty) at the Shrine Social Club, a former theatre, now a cool bar, where the better known figures and the young guns of the US custom scene were rubbing shoulders. We grabbed another beer and joined in the motor talk; wrenching, riding, welding, painting, chopping and what have you were extensively discussed until the cows came home.
The next morning (or was it just after the PPPP?)
the PATP (Party at the Pen) kicked off. With this show Boise is definitely moving up into the top 10 of US custom events. It’s not just the monumental and historic venue, it’s the quality of the bikes in the show. Plenty of classic Harleys, Evos included, outstanding Brit bikes. They were all lined up in front of the former high security cells and in the yards – a vibe of former inmates having built these excellent Knuckleheads, Panheads, Shovels and Evos permeated the venue, a surprising twist on that "Freedom Machine" concept.
To keep us from more deep thinking
we checked out the stalls offering everything from beer to bermuda shorts, and appreciated the Ives Brothers’s "Wall of Death" attraction.
The preoceeds of the show go in part to the Historical Society to aid the upkeep of these buildings and gardens, in part to an organisation aiding wounded military and their families. Enough reasons really to mark this show in next year’s calendar for sure!