Duals Fest

June 7, 2009

Duals Fest
Get Your Motor Runnin’ at the Duals Fest

By Rick Coates 6/8/09

Don “Duals” Watkins had a lifelong passion for the skilled trades. He built a reputation for his craft of customizing cars and motorcycles, not only in Northern Michigan, but around the country.
Don passed away four years ago on June 12, but his son Kip and others decided to keep “Duals” legacy alive by creating the Duals Fest in 2007, a one-day festival of music, bikes, a hot-bod contest, pig roast and more to raise funds for The Don Watkins Memorial Scholarship Fund.
“My father got his nickname because everything he built whether it was hot rod or a motorcycle had dual exhausts, so everyone called him Duals,” said Kip Watkins, who along with his father founded Watkins Boyz Kustom Bike and Hot Rod Builders.
“He always helped others and encouraged them to pursue their passion. So we felt there was no better way to carry on his legacy than to start this memorial fund in his honor. It is expensive to get into skilled trades, so essentially this scholarship fund helps students at the Traverse Bay Intermediate School District Career Tech Center purchase the tools they need to get started in their profession.”

MORE THAN 1,000
After two years they have given out $10,000 in scholarships. They expect that dollar figure to grow as each year Duals Fest has been increasing in numbers.
“We expect to have more than 1,000 people this year,” said Watkins. “I hope to build it into a weekend-long festival in two years. Uncle Kracker wants to perform at this and we have others. We are so fortunate to have so many people who have gotten behind this to make it a great event.”
The one-day affair is jam-packed with events. There will be a hot rod/bike show, a hot-bods contest, an auction with a variety of bike, hotrod and racing memorabilia, a pig roast and music all day.
“Omelette and Finster play host for the day. These guys jumped on this right from the start and we are happy they are going to be back. The people that listen to their show were my dad’s kind of people, so we are so grateful for their support,” said Watkins. “Kiootees Bar in Kalkaska was my dad’s kind of place, so all the activities are there. The night will wrap up with The Dirty Americans performing.”
New this year is a Poker Run that will start at 1 p.m. at Kiootees Bar and then head to Dingman’s, The Keg Bar, The Stampede Saloon, Wag’n Animals Roadhouse and finish back at Kiootees. All proceeds from the Poker Run benefit the Scholarship Fund.
“My dad was a small town guy. He was born in Mancelona, so these are his kind of places,” said Watkins. “I thought about moving the event to Traverse City to a larger venue, but that was not my dad, I wanted to keep this event authentic to the person he was.”

BUILDING BIKES
Watkins and his dad began their support for the Career Tech Center several years ago when they began volunteering their time instructing students. Along with Dodd Russell of Tribal Motorworks, they started the Schoolyard Motorworks program for the Career Tech Center. The educational program gave students a “hands-on” opportunity from conception to sales to build and market a custom-designed motorcycle. All the proceeds from the sale of motorcycle benefited the Father Fred Foundation.
“My dad felt it was important that these students learn the significance of giving back when being given to,” said Watkins. “He was a quiet man who spoke by his actions and with his hands. He was an inspiration to a lot of people. “
The Duals Fest is this Saturday at Kiootees Bar in Kalkaska. The Poker run starts with a 12:30 sign-up, with riders heading out at 1 pm. The evening activities start at 4 p.m. with tickets $10 in advance and $15 at the door. The Dirty Americans will take the stage around 10 p.m.

If you are unable to attend but would like to make a contribution you may do so in the name of “The Don Watkins Memorial Scholarship Fund” and send checks to Forest Area Federal Credit Union. Address is 782 S. Cedar St NW Kalkaska,MI 49646. For more information on Duals Fest or call Kip Watkins at 231-642-6093 or Kiootees Bar at 231-258-1276.