Mary McGee to Serve as 2023 Riding into History Show’s Grand Marshal

Mary McGee will serve as Grand Marshal at 2023 Riding into History vintage motorcycle exhibition in St. Augustine, Florida. The festival’s theme will be “Get Your Heart Racing – Competition Motorcycles.” McGee is no stranger to competition, having competed during the 1960s and 1970s and been inducted into the AMA Hall of Fame, the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame, and the Trailblazer’s Hall of Fame.

McGee began racing bikes in sports car racing to improve her talents in sports car racing in 1960. While no one was keen on letting a female racer try out for her FIM license, she was finally given the opportunity. There was no turning back when she cut the trial. Among her many firsts, she completed the Baja 1000 on a motorcycle and was the first American woman to participate in road racing and motocross. 

Since then, McGee has served as an advocate for motorcycling, specifically targeting young women and encouraging them to try recreational and competitive riding. McGee inspires people and brings attention to the sport via her public speaking engagements and busy Facebook page. Event details: April 14-15, 2023, World Golf Village, near St. Augustine, Florida. Hundreds of classic motorbikes are brought to the World Golf Village to be exhibited around the lake in the middle of the complex. Riding into History is a non-profit organization that donates all revenues to K9s for Warriors, which trains and places service dogs with disabled military veterans. There is no fee for participants to enter the event. However, there is a $15 entry fee for spectators.

The Historic Vintage Grand Tour led by the Grand Marshals kicks up at 9:30 am. Guests of the Renaissance Hotel at World Golf Village are encouraged to ride their classic motorcycles around the back lanes of historic Florida. Mary McGee will act as your tour guide for the Vintage Grand Tour. To participate in this event, you must have a vintage motorbike and register in advance.

Dinner for the Grand Marshals will be served in Shell Hall at the World Golf Hall of Fame beginning at 6:00 pm. Mary McGee, a storyteller, will provide the keynote talk. The cost of the catered meal is $80. Donations and event registrations may be made at this link. From 10 am to 4 pm, World Golf Village hosts the annual Riding Into History Concours d’Elegance. There will be several bikes and motorcycle-related products on show, as well as musical performances, food stands, and other attractions. The price for a spectator in the year 2022 was $15.

The public is welcome to attend the Concours d’Elegance. On the Saturday of that year (2022), entry costs $15 at the gate. Tickets for a pair may be bought online at a discounted price of $25. As part of their motorbike registration, participants can bring one visitor who will arrive at the same time. Prices for tickets will be revised when more information about the 2023 event becomes available.