Annually in June, Athena, OR hosts the Hodaka Days Fest which commemorates the Pabatco company’s production of Hodaka bikes from 1964-78 in Athena. The four-day fest draws Hodaka bike enthusiasts from across the country, and even a small international crowd. Attendees camp in a park on the edge of town, and may participate in events: an ice cream social, parts swap, Hodaka member club meeting, special presentations, pancake breakfast, parade down main street, and the Bad Rock Reunion Trail Ride. With connections in Athena, having spent summers there as a child at my grandma’s house, who was a community leader, I’d always heard of Hodaka Days, yet always visited the town after school got out — which was after the festival. After my grandma’s passing, in hopes of reconnecting with this town, and giving back to the community that my grandma cared for dearly, I traveled from MN to OR in 2018 to film, interview, and photograph fest attendees. I am currently working on editing this material, and completing several paintings based on photos I shot of bikers, community organizers, and the town. When the series is completed, I will be displaying this work in the new Hodaka Museum opening at the soon-to-be-restored Gem Theater on Main Street.
