On Saturday morning, an uncommon rumbling reverberated on Chicago Avenue in Oak Park.
Dozens of Vespas and different motorized scooters swept by means of, bringing a sea of colour as they rolled down the road. Scooterists parked modern, fashionable fashions subsequent to classic automobiles on Forest Avenue. The rides have been embellished with stickers and stuffed animals. Some license plates have been native, whereas others have been from so far as Minnesota and Iowa. A number of drivers wore ornamental jackets, whereas others sported enjoyable T-shirts, together with one that includes Cookie Monster. Just a few outfits have been color-coordinated with scooters.
The scooterists have been attending a tour exploring Frank Lloyd Wright structure — considered one of a number of actions throughout an occasion known as “Slaughterhouse.” Launched in 1995, the unique gathering featured a trip from Tinley Park to the meatpacking district of Chicago, and the “slaughterhouse” identify was adopted.
Now in its thirty first yr, the annual occasion brings collectively scooter fans for rides, live shows, events, banquets and extra over Labor Day Weekend. It was hosted by the Chicago chapter of the Vespa Membership of America. Following the Wright tour, the scooterists gathered for a pig roast at Motoworks Chicago, a bike seller on South Western Avenue.
About 200 attendees from all around the nation joined within the enjoyable, which not solely fosters neighborhood, however celebrates the person type and expression of the members.
“Every scooterist places their very own design and their very own little coronary heart into their scooter,” mentioned Julie Ortiz, of Jefferson Park, who works on the occasion. “You see all these completely different decals or enjoyable colours on the scooters. It’s our method to showcase, ‘That is my scooter, but it surely’s additionally my persona.’”
Learn on to get to know a number of scooterists and their customized automobiles.
Erin Schwarz, 39, with 4-year-old daughter, Elli
Hometown: River Forest
Scooter: 2006 Vespa Granturismo 200 L
Erin Schwarz was hesitant when somebody approached her at a cease mild and recommended she be a part of a gathering known as “Slaughterhouse.” However after wanting it up and attending, she found it was a enjoyable and welcoming occasion for her and her daughter, who has her personal kid-sized Vespa. “I like driving my scooter wherever,” Schwarz mentioned. “I take heed to music in a single ear, too. It looks like a pleasure trip, like once I was in highschool.”
Christine Beattie, 66
Hometown: Logan Sq.
Scooter: 2022 Vespa Primavera 50
Christine Beattie’s fashionable, mint inexperienced “child” Vespa is simply large enough to get her round city to run errands and go to household and buddies. And it doesn’t require a lot upkeep — not like the classic scooters owned by a few of her friends. “They’re all the time speaking about their carburetors,” she mentioned, laughing. “I don’t know what they’re speaking about. They’re all the time fixing them. I don’t wish to fear about that. I simply need it to work.”
However Beattie mentioned she enjoys assembly different scooterists at Slaughterhouse. “I just like the group rides and going locations the place I wouldn’t really feel snug going on my own.”
Eric Wertanen, 51
Hometown: Royal Oak, Michigan
Scooter: 1978 Vespa P200
If requested to decide on a aspect within the historic conflict of the motorcycle-riding rockers and mods, Eric Wertanen would assist the latter. He even decked out his classic Vespa with additional lights and mirrors as a tribute to the mod subculture, pushed by youth within the Nineteen Sixties. He mentioned he enjoys driving with different mod-loving scooterists within the Detroit space, and visiting the Windy Metropolis throughout Slaughterhouse. “I like Chicago,” he mentioned. “I like large cities and the camaraderie of assembly my buddies from different golf equipment all through the nation. And, in fact, Chicago pizza.”
Kevin Solomon, 49
Hometown: Hebron, Kentucky
Scooter: 2016 Vespa GS 200
Kevin Solomon picked out a inexperienced tracksuit to match his Vespa on Saturday throughout Slaughterhouse, an occasion he lauded for its “nice individuals” and “neighborhood.” He was additionally wanting ahead to the occasion’s annual raffle for a 1979 Vespa P200E. Beginning out as a motorcyclist, Solomon mentioned he has grown to understand the advantages of the scooter. “It’s largely driving native, and also you get to sight-see,” he mentioned. “In case you’re on a bike, you’re going so quick, you move every part up.”
Julie Ortiz, 37
Hometown: Jefferson Park
Scooter: Real Buddy 125
Painted pink and embellished with flowers and heart-shaped mirrors, Julie Ortiz’s scooter is just not solely fairly however highly effective. “There’s simply one thing about being on two wheels: you simply really feel like a badass,” she mentioned. “General, it’s simply actually enjoyable to trip.” Ortiz additionally works as a crew member for Slaughterhouse. “It’s our likelihood to point out off our wonderful metropolis and all of the cool little areas across the city.”
Bryan Bedell, 56
Hometown: Galewood
Scooter: 1965 Vespa 150 VBB
Bryan Bedell bought his first Vespa in 1995 after seeing scooters in motion pictures like “Breaking Away” and “Empire Data.” “There’s lots of people about my age which have been doing this for so long as 30 years,” mentioned Bedell, who’s the chief of the Chicago chapter of the Vespa Membership of America. “After which there are individuals who simply obtained into it. We’re beginning to see just a few youthful individuals present up that remind us of ourselves 30 years in the past, which is sweet.”
Heather Malson, 39
Hometown: Cedar Hill, Missouri
Scooter: Vespa ET2 49
Heather Malson’s scooter was a standout attributable to its wrap, which featured inexperienced polka dots and a portrait of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz from “I Love Lucy.” Malson mentioned the decor is a tribute not solely to the TV present however her daughter, additionally named Lucy.
When requested to explain the sensation of driving on a Vespa, Malson supplied one phrase: “Thrilling.” However there’s a restrict to her bravery on the subject of two-wheeled automobiles. “I’m too scared to trip a bike,” she mentioned.
Vincent Juperi, 35
Hometown: Bridgeport
Scooter: Vespa Dash 150
Vincent Juperi suits proper in with the opposite members of the Chicago chapter of the Vespa Membership of America. “They’re my form of individuals,” mentioned Juperi, who grew up watching his grandfather and uncles journey to tea homes by scooter. “I hope individuals are extra open to the scooter tradition,” he mentioned. “All people’s buddies and all people’s welcoming. I believe extra individuals ought to see that as an alternative of the risks of being on a scooter or on a bike.”
