SANDPOINT — From the very beginning of Shery Meekings and Amber Jones’ friendship, the two have wanted to bring an event to downtown Sandpoint. They just weren’t sure what. 

However, once Meekings discovered that Jones was the owner of a biker bar in San Diego, she knew that her friend was the perfect person to bring that community back to town. 

“Wouldn’t it be so cool to get all the bikers to come here, like they do to your bar?” Meekings proposed to Jones three years ago. “I was like ‘Girl, you should do it!’ and then life happened.” 

While the idea sat dormant for a bit, it never left either of their minds. Now, three years down the road, Jones said the time is finally right. 

“[Meekings] kept prodding me and saying, ‘Let’s do this’ and so finally, I was like, ‘Let’s do it,’” Jones said.  

Later this month, the dream that began three years ago will finally come to fruition. A three-day event in total, the Sandpoint Showdown is centered around Sept. 27, where hundreds of bikers will gather on four blocks of downtown to showcase their custom motorcycles, compete in skill competitions and bring the community together.  

Jones said most motorcycle events are fundraisers, and she felt that for the biker community to gather around the Sandpoint Showdown, they needed a partner.  

“I was like, ‘Well... I do run a non-profit that I’ve been running for 15 years,'” Meekings said with a laugh. “We filled out the paperwork and thought it was a perfect fit.” 

All proceeds for the event will go toward Meekings’ local non-profit, Creations, a community art studio and playroom located in the Cedar Street Bridge. The volunteer-based organization specializes in teaching classes that inspire creativity and provide educational activities for kids in the local area. 

Jones felt the partnership with Creations was ideal because for bikers, their motorcycles are works of art. Showcasing the bikes works in tandem with the organization’s mission to promote the arts and discovery in the community. 

“The idea was to bring a community event to the end of the shoulder season,” Jones said. “It's cool to see these bikes that are painted all special." 

Meekings and Jones said that the support that the event and Creations has received from the local community has already been overwhelmingly positive. From a donation of $15,000 bike from Lone Wolf Harley Davidson to individuals stepping up to hand out fliers, the duo raved about the backing the locals have given to the first-year event. 

"I know the motorcycle community is tight-knit, but to see the Sandpoint, Ponderay and surrounding area go, ‘OK, this sounds cool, let’s give it a shot,’ that’s kind of special,” Jones said. 

That local community was always key to the planning of the Sandpoint Showdown, Jones said. The event should work in tandem to support downtown businesses, that’s why Jones said she didn’t bring in an outside food vendor or beer garden. 

"We are relying on the local businesses of the downtown area to provide the food and drinks,” Jones said. “So, if people want a drink, they can go to any of the variety of places we have downtown or if you want something to eat, support the businesses that are down here.” 

The Sandpoint Showdown will be a free event for the public to attend on Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. To register your bike for the show and skill competitions there is a $20 fee and those looking for VIP parking and an event T-shirt can pre-register for the event at sandpointshowdown.com for $35. 

“Lost in the ’50s had 750 cars, so I’m hoping we have 1,000 bikes, that’s my goal,” Jones said. “There’s going to be raffle items different things where you can contribute or just come out and have a great time with your family.”