On a Highway with Hellions: The Highway Hellions Bootleggers Bash
"It's shenanigans all weekend pretty much" is what Vickie Wiles told me when I asked her about Highway Hellions Bootleggers Bash, the annual event she and a few others from the Highway Hellions car club put on.
For those unfamiliar with the event, it's two nights of cars, live music, a downhill race, pin up photoshoots, free on site camping, hanging out and having a good time on an 8 acre patch of land in Mansfield, Ohio.
Vickie, along with her husband Mike, who have been members of the car club for the last 10 or 11 years started the event. "We basically just started as a group of people who had cars and liked to go to different events. Some of the events we went to kind of drove me, like the culture, rockabilly music, cars, pin ups, we loved it so we wanted to do our own event." That's how Highway Hellions Bootleggers Bash was born.
Now in it's sixth year, Highway Hellions Bootleggers Bash isn't just about cool cars and music but about doing something good as well. All the money raised by the event goes to charity. "When we first started out, we knew we were going to donate everything to charity so we wanted to try to get sponsorships to basically cover the event itself so all the money we raise goes towards the charity chosen for that year." Vickie said.
"We wanted to do something to help veterans because we do have a lot of veterans in our club" so as a club they chose to help veteran driven charities and every year they donate the profits from the bootleggers bash to a different veterans cause.
The bash, which took place June 25-26th featured different car clubs from Ohio and beyond as well as several different bands. Saturday night's line up included Jesse Blankenship Band, Shorty Allen and the Skirt Chasers, Betty Bangs, The Legendary Hucklebucks and dance group Monster Dolls.
Shorty Allen and the Skirt Chasers perform for the crowd
Shorty Allen and the Skirt Chasers have been a part of the entertainment for four years now. After their set, I caught up with lead singer Shorty Allen to find out why being a part of the event is important to him.
"Because the Highway Hellions car club is an amazing group of people and it's for a good cause, they are all about supporting veterans and taking care of veterans and it's just a great time. There's never a bad moment, there's never a bad vibe, everybody's just happy and cool and gets along and loves music."
When I asked him what keeps him coming back, Shorty told me "everything I just said it's a great time, I'm happy as heck. As long as they want me back, I'll be here"
This was my first time at Highway Hellions Bootleggers Bash and I completely understand why Shorty comes back. It's like a big back yard party with good people. The first thing you notice when you pull in are all the classic cars lined up in the grass. The second thing that hits you is the music coming from the stage. You can get your chair as close or as far away from the stage as you like. Coolers are allowed, grills are allowed and they also have food trucks on the grounds. You can even bring your dog as long as they are leashed. There are merch tables set up for the bands as well as tables for the raffles. It's a whole lot of fun.
Abby and Ross of Betty Bangs
For those of you wondering, yes shenanigans ensued. Towards the back of the area where they have the stage set up, there is a table with a pole on it. About half way through Betty Bangs set, a guy decided to try out some of his new moves for the crowd. It was one of the most popular areas of the night.
I think my favorite part of the night had to be Monster Dolls. They are in monster masks and outfits and dance and entertain the crowd. It was just so different. Had I known I could have done something similar with my life, I would have started on that years ago. It takes a lot of talent and they were just amazing. Kind of jealous of those women and honestly, I'd be lying if I didn't say the thought of running away and joining them hadn't crossed my mind.
Monster Dolls
All the bands were fantastic but I do have to apologize to Friday night's line up of Midlyfe Crysis, Triad, and Perfectly Damaged for missing them. I also just barely made it for Jesse Blankenship band on Saturday which is why there are no pictures of their set. And before you ask, yes, that is the same guitar, stand up bass, and sax player from Shorty Allen and the Skirt Chasers in Betty Bangs. They play for both and had double and triple duty that day. Rest assured you are not seeing things.
Betty Bangs
For all of those reasons alone I would strongly recommend taking in Highway Hellions Bootleggers Bash next year. Ten bucks a head for one night or fifteen bucks for the weekend, the cost can not be beat. Vickie was not lying when she said "we wanted it to be a good time but an affordable time and do something for a good cause too. It's really all about the party and the people. "
The Legendary Hucklebucks
That it truly is. Add in doing it for a great cause and you absolutely can not feel bad for partying all weekend long.
Speaking of the cause, this year's event benefited Love Our Hero's. Love Our Hero's is a nonprofit organization. They run a thrift/consignment store and donation center in Bellville, Ohio. Started by Tami Oyster in 2019 the store is donation based. "There are no price tags on anything, you pay what you can" Tami told me when I stopped by their table at the bash. All the money collected goes to help veterans with rent, utilities and food assistance. The organization has donated 3 vehicles to veterans in need and they are also in the process of building a house for a veteran which is how Tami's path crossed with Vickie.
Love Our Hero’s table at Highway Hellions Bootleggers Bash
The store also includes a café that serves meals, an ice cream shop and a dress shop that helps women out who can't afford them. Every thing there is also all completely by monetary donation that you can pick your own price on.
They are currently in need of volunteers so if that is something you think you'd be interested in, you can stop by the shop at 24 Bell Street in Bellville to pick up an application.
Or if a monetary donation is more up your alley, you can donate here
PayPal.me/Loveourheros
Or by mailing a check to
PO Box 547 Bellville Ohio 44813
To learn more about Love Our Hero's check out their facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/USAMILITARYROCKS
On a personal note, I would like to say thank you to Vickie, Highway Hellions Car Club and Tami for everything they do to help out the vets. My dad was one of Uncle Sam's Misguided Children, or for those of you who didn't grow up with a Marine, he was in the United States Marine Corps. He served in Vietnam and had horrible PTSD. He was a proud stubborn man who never admitted or asked for help when he needed it because it was seen as weak for a Marine to need assistance. I know what it's like first hand to deal with a veteran who would rather suffer in silence instead of admitting they are struggling and need help or care. It makes my heart so happy to know that people like Vickie, Highway Hellions and Tami are out there taking care of vets in a world where they have been forgotten or disregarded or made to feel less than for asking for the help they so desperately need and deserve. You guys are tops in my book!
A huge shout out to Vickie and Highway Hellions for allowing me to come out and both enjoy and cover the bash!!
To learn more about Highway Hellions Bootleggers bash, check out their face book page
https://www.facebook.com/thehighwayhellionsbootleggersbash
Or the Car Club
https://www.facebook.com/Highway-Hellions-Car-Club-1020401031314276
And to see all the pictures from the event, you can go here
https://www.theparttimejournalist.com/concerts/hhbl
or click the concert gallery tab on the home page.
