The tricolor flags flying at the exit of Saint-Benoît-du-Sault prove that we are in France. But you only need to travel a few hundred meters to find yourself in the full American atmosphere.
After entering a vast space dotted with star-spangled banners, a country demonstration puts the visitor in the swing of things. Further on, a 1941 Cadillac, installed near a tattoo stand, catches the eye.
The love of beautiful bodies and the western atmosphere
Its owner, Michel Bourdon, explains that he acquired this always dashing vehicle in 2009 out of his love for beautiful bodies. He has just traveled 750 km on board without the slightest problem.
This Benedictine, 83 years old like his car, is a member of the American Berry Custom 36 association, which is organizing the US Festival for the sixth time, which welcomed three thousand visitors last spring.
Country dancing is of course on the program.
© (Photo NR, Jean-Michel Bonnin)
“We attend a lot of rallies and are friends with other motorcycle clubs”, explains its president, Michel Menetrier. The profits from the weekend will be donated to the French Association for Esophageal Atresia (Afao).
The bikers of Issoudun Les Aigles Noirs are part of the party.
© (Photo NR, Jean-Michel Bonnin)
If the public is invited to take motorcycle rides, they can also stop at up-to-date stands like that of Vincent Joureau, a saddler from Couhé (Vienna) who exhibits his leather creations. Its holsters and knife sheaths were entirely handmade. “I like rock, western atmosphere and wide open spaces”admits the craftsman, wearing a cowboy hat and who traveled with an American flag.
The French dragster speed record holder
Donald Pottier’s dragster is not the least looked at. This pilot from Royan (Charente-Maritime) holds the French record for the specialty, with a speed of 480 km/h. If there is no question of setting off on the 35 hectares allocated to the festival, he will run his 1,500 horsepower crazy caddy jet-car on Sunday and Monday, with the promise of making a lot of noise and smoke.
While the Berruyère delegation from the Bikes de France federation came to make itself known and defend customization undermined by technical inspection, the bikers from Issoudun Les Aigles Noirs – who choose their members among colleagues who respect the rules – are there above all to ensure the security of this great popular festival. Boasting 300 meters of stands and five food trucks, it ends each evening with a rock concert.
US Festival, Sunday May 19 and Monday May 20 from 7 p.m., route de Roussines, just outside Saint-Benoît-du-Sault. Entrance: €5 for the weekend. Motorcycle rides: €5.
