Maggie Valley, NC - The annual Thunder in the Smokies Fall Rally will kick off on Friday Sept. 14 and runs through Sunday, Sept. 16. Thousands of motorcyclists from near and far travel to Maggie Valley for the busiest motorcycle weekend of the year.

The rally features a tour ride through the winding roads of the Blue Ridge Parkway, live music, a bike show, bike games, food vendors, and a church service and free pancake breakfast on Sunday. Weekend passes are available in advance for $17 online and $20 at the gate. With your pass you will also receive discounts at local participating businesses during the event weekend.

Rain or shine, gates will open on Friday at 11 a.m.  Vendors will be open all day, and live music will run 5 to 11p.m. On Saturday gates will open at 9 a.m. and commence with a tour ride into the Smoky Mountains through the exhilarating twists and turns of the Blue Ridge Parkway to Water Rock Knob. Bikers will take in magnificent views of the WNC Mountains as they ride 4,500 feet above sea level. Afternoon events include crowd favorites such as a Bike Show and Bike Games, each with a $500 cash prize. Live entertainment will run through 11p.m. that evening. To conclude the weekend, there will be a free pancake breakfast and worship service Sunday morning.

For a full schedule of events and list of sponsors, visit www.thunderinthesmokies.com.

Because of the popularity of motorcycles riders traveling to Western North Carolina, Haywood County offers its ride enthusiasts a Motorcycle Ride Map.  The map features rides ranging from 33 to 200 plus miles, from mild to difficult, and offer a variety of trips that begin and end in Haywood County.  All of the rides include spectacular mountain views.

For a copy of the ride guide map, call 800-334-9036, or go online to www.visitncsmokies.com for a downloadable version.

Maggie Valley and surrounding towns of Haywood County offer a wide variety of accommodations and activities.  Whether it’s a quiet bed and breakfast or a rustic cabin in the woods, guests can expect to experience authentic southern hospitality and enjoy all that the area offers.  A complete list of accommodations in Haywood County can be found by clicking http://www.visitncsmokies.com/stay.