7th Evel Days begin in Butte

By Justin Post - 07/25/2008

Bill Rundle couldn’t help but look at his cellular telephone during the kickoff of Evel Knievel Days Thursday and laugh.

Rundle organizes the annual event and commonly received some 50 telephone calls per day from Knievel, who had a reputation for being a micromanager.

“I’m not getting the phone calls, but I can feel his presence,” Rundle said. “He’s shining down on us from somewhere.” Thousands of people poured into the Mining City Thursday. The sounds of revving motorcycle engines and the aromas of mouth-watering food filled Uptown streets.

The kickoff fell behind schedule when the Cossacks Drill Team of Seattle, running late, missed the noon start, but were performing before 1 p.m.

At 2 p.m., during the freestyle motorcycle show, Heath Frisby injured his chin after overshooting a jump and crashing, Rundle said.

Frisby, of Caldwell, Idaho, went to the hospital for stitches, but was not seriously See EVEL, Back Page injured, Rundle said.

Scanning the growing crowd early Thursday, Rundle said he expects this year’s attendance to break records.

“For a Thursday to see this kind of crowd I can only imagine what it’s going to be like the next two days,” he said.

Ben West, a 47-year-old stonemason from Bozeman, attended Evel Knievel Days for the first time Thursday with his wife and two kids.

“We’re having a great time,” he said, as his family watched the Geoff Aaron Trials on Broadway. “Everybody’s real laid back, the weather is great and everyone is friendly.” Ron Hergott, a college recruiter from Hastings, Neb., also attended Evel Days for the first time this year with his 15-year-old son, Brayden.

“I think it’s pretty cool,” Brayden Hergott said.

Ron Hergott commended organizers for scheduling the events with time for people to catch every show.

“It’s very nice. You don’t have to run from one thing to the next and be afraid to miss anything,” he said. “It’s awesome.” — Reporter Justin Post may be reached via e-mail at justin.post@lee.net.