Motorcycle mania invades Butte during Evel Knievel Days

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Cowboy Kenny Bartram is among the performers at this year’s Evel Knievel Days.

The King of the Daredevils, who died in 2007, is the inspiration for Evel Knievel Days, July 24-26 in Uptown Butte. The annual event typically attracts 50,000 visitors to Knievel’s hometown.

Stuntman Spanky Spangler returns with son Bryan Spangler and the Spanky Army; Spanky’s trademark feats including launching a car over a stack of vehicles and plummeting from a high elevation (including, one year, the top story of the Finlen Hotel).

Other celebrities include vertical BMX legend Mat Hoffman, skateboarding greats Mike Vallely and Chris Gentry, flatlander world-champion Pete Brandt, X Games winner John Parker, BMX pioneer Gary Laurent, and BMX star Johnny Harnish.

Black Flag, Tim Montana and the Shrednecks, Shoot to Thrill, Shellshock Lullaby, Blanco Bronco and Moneta add the musical element to the free, family-friendly event.

New this year are Thursday’s Evel Urban Downhill Mountain Bike Race; the Air Born Thrill Team, featuring wing-suit professionals Scotty Bob Morgan, Matt Gerdes and Mike Steen; and Old School Ray’s Skateboard Competition.

The line-up of stunt performers includes the 7” Daredevil, Kamikazie Kid, Dr. Danger, and bicycle stuntman Chris Clark. Jason Parish will attempt to set a Guinness Book of World Records for fire walking; and this year’s Death Defying Daredevils FMX Show features Nitro Circus stars Street Bike Tommy, Cowboy Kenny Bartram, Levi Renz, Bryce Hudson, Derek Cook,Jimmy Hill, and special guest Arron “Wheelz” Fotheringham.

Other attractions include the Extreme Canine Stunt Dogs, the Una Circus, the Globe of Death, and the world’s largest collection of Evel Knievel memorabilia.

The Kid Knievel Area offers three days of attractions for younger daredevils and the young at heart; opportunities to learn how to skate and ride motorcycles are also available.

Call 490-7712 or visit www.evelknieveldays.org for more information.