On Saturday, Nov. 18, 1,500 people gathered at Dale’s Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, to find out if they would be the lucky person to go home with a restored 1937 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead. The Museum’s Annual Raffle has been giving away one restored antique bike per year since 2002, with all proceeds going to benefit “The Museum That Runs.” This year’s winner was Alex Casey, and two other winners received cash prizes. American Rider wishes congratulations to Alex, the cash winners, and Wheels Through Time.
During the event, the museum also announced next year’s raffle bike: a 1936 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead. Raffle tickets are available now for $10 per ticket, and ticket bundles up to 250 tickets are available at a discount. The museum also announced that it will be closed for the winter season from Nov. 20 to April 4. In the meantime, fans can enjoy looks at antique bikes through the Wheels Through Time YouTube channel.
Read the press release below for more information.
As the sun peaked over the mountains in beautiful Maggie Valley, North Carolina, the crowds were already lined up at the gate for the annual raffle celebration at Dale’s Wheels Through Time. Each year since its opening in 2002, the all-American motorcycle museum has restored and then given away a classic motorcycle through its annual Raffle. A not-for-profit organization, the Annual Raffle is the museum’s biggest fundraiser each year, with all proceeds going to help build new exhibits, continue preservation efforts, and enhance the overall museum visitor experience.
Throughout the day, guests experienced why Wheels Through Time is “The Museum That Runs” as museum staff fired up dozens of vintage motorcycles in the museum’s collection. Outside, over 1,500 people enjoyed the perfect weather, anticipating the one moment everyone was waiting for – the drawing of the winner for the annual raffle motorcycle. The grand prize this year was a 1937 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead in a hot-rod bobber style, dressed and finished in H-D Custom Silver, striped in black, and edged in gold, with bobbed fenders and Flanders accessory risers and bars, sporting an authentic period-modified look and feel.
At 2 p.m., museum curator Matt Walksler took the microphone to greet the crowd as they prepared to hear the winner. As the crowd watched, the wooden drum containing the tickets was rotated one last time to shuffle the tickets, and then the ticket picker, 8-year-old Evelyn, was lowered into the tickets. On the count of three from the crowd, she reached down and pulled out one ticket.
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The Grand Prize went to Alex Casey of LaPlata, Maryland. Casey visited the museum for the first time and purchased his raffle tickets in October. An avid rider, he currently rides a Harley-Davidson Sportster. The second prize of $10,000 went to Bruce Wilson of Locust Grove, Georgia, a frequent visitor to the museum. The third prize of $5,000 went to James Lane of South Jersey. Lane has never visited the museum in person but bought his tickets online to support the museum.
“We can’t say thank you enough,” Walksler told the crowd. “Each ticket you purchased means so much because it represents your support and belief in the mission of Dale’s Wheels Through Time.”
The museum also unveiled the raffle bike for their 2024 raffle, a 1936 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead. Considered the “grandfather” of the American motorcycle, the Knucklehead was Harley’s revolutionary motor and is often credited with revolutionizing the American motorcycle scene. This particular Knucklehead is a stunning example, finished in H-D Factory Custom Gold, trimmed in Brillant Black, and hand-striped with chrome accents.
The museum will close for winter on Monday, Nov. 20, but will reopen on April 4, 2024. Until then, check out their YouTube page for excellent vintage motorcycle content, and head to the Wheels Through Time website to purchase tickets for the 2024 Raffle Bike.
Find more motorcycle events at American Rider‘s events calendar.
