'It's a celebration': RedBud National hosts motocross fans for red, white and blue bash

BUCHANAN — Die-hard motocross fans have two milestones to mark this year: 50 years of pro motocross and 246 years of American independence. And the ones who attended the RedBud National Saturday celebrated with 40,000 of their closest friends.

RedBud National marks roughly the midway point of the motocross season and annually brings fans from all over the nation to the Buchanan track.

“This is one of the best tracks in the country,” said Bobby Childers, a staff member hired to operate the heavy equipment that smooths out the track for riders.

While other track locations in the motocross series are rotated, Buchanan is a staple in the schedule, occurring every year over the Fourth of July weekend. 

“They couldn’t not have it here,” Childers said, “40,000 people would be mad.”

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Desiree Groves came in from Illinois for her second annual visit to RedBud. The difference for her this year? She walked through the gates in full attire to look like Lady Liberty, including a cup with a flame to hold up and an aqua green wig to match her dress.

“I just wanted to do something different this year, both for RedBud and the Fourth,” Groves said, “So I thought ‘why not dress as Lady Liberty?’”

Others wore American flags, red and white overalls and bucket hats while a handful decided no shirt was the best solution to take on the summer heat. Fans who weren’t lucky enough to land a spot in the shade carried umbrellas to take a break from the blazing sun. 

The infield lawn was already getting crowded as bikers raced around during the practice runs. As the opening ceremony drew near, adults roamed the grounds with beers and lawn chairs while kids rolled down the sloping hills and climbed up fences to get a better look at the action. 

But, the memorable “RedBuuuud” call united fans from every corner of the track, no matter what they were doing.

Bobby Childers arrives yearly at the track with his wife, Krista, and their 2 and 6-year-old daughters in tow. This year the couple’s niece also joined the family fun.

The Childers family drove to Michigan from their home state of Iowa in a camper and stayed on site for the week. They’ve come out to RedBud for the last 10 years, with the exception of 2020 when the race was moved to Labor Day Weekend with limited attendees.

“We had just had our youngest,” Krista Childers said, referencing her daughter who was playing with her own miniature dirt bike in the grass. “So we sat 2020 out.”

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But now in RedBud’s second year back to full capacity, the Childers are back to their tradition.

“There’s nowhere better to spend the weekend,” Krista said. “It’s a celebration.”

Fans rushed to the podium as Eli Tomac won the 450cc moto, the first race of the day, then moseyed back to the nearest fence or infield to reclaim a spot for the following races.

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Added in the second year of the motocross championship series, RedBud celebrated its 49th year Saturday. Based on the crowd size and excitement of fans, crews and riders alike, it will likely keep bringing people together for years to come.

“It’s a family,” Bobby Childers said, referring to the tight-knit group of staff responsible for the track operations. “But then everyone has their own families also here, so it’s just a family event all around.”

Email Alysa Guffey at aguffey1@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @AlysaGuffeyNews.