Thunder on the SmokySep 26–26, 2026 · Kansas
Annual one-day motorcycle rally hosted by the Kansas Motorcycle Museum in downtown Marquette, Kansas. Running since 2003, it draws all makes and models for a pancake breakfast, morning poker run through the Smoky Hills, live bands at Smoky Valley Distillery, bike show, vendors, and best-bike awards. Held each year on the third Saturday of September.
A compact, all-makes one-day rally anchored by a working motorcycle museum, a morning poker run through the Smoky Hills, a ride-in bike show, and live music — all in a small Kansas town where proceeds go back to the museum itself.
Thunder on the Smoky is a one-day rally hosted by the Kansas Motorcycle Museum in downtown Marquette, Kansas, running since the museum opened in 2003. All proceeds from the event benefit the museum, which houses an extensive collection of vintage and rare motorcycles along with racing history tied to the Smoky Valley region. The rally welcomes riders of all makes and models.
The day follows a consistent structure: a pancake breakfast at the Legion Hall kicks things off early in the morning, followed by opening ceremonies and a flag parade at mid-morning. From there, riders can sign up for and head out on the poker run, with Smoky Valley Distillery serving as the staging point. Live music runs through the afternoon at the distillery, and a ride-in bike show with trophies rounds out the main attractions alongside vendors set up through the day.
Marquette is a small town, so expect a neighborhood-scale atmosphere rather than a stadium-sized event. The museum itself is worth time on its own — it runs on donations and is staffed by volunteers. September in central Kansas can bring variable weather, so check conditions before heading out.
Shot by the riders who've run it.
Riders upload photos to their profile and tag the road or stop — tagged shots show up here automatically.