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JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Patrick Martella said he plans to remain a leader in developing the new Rumble Through the Valley motorcycle rally, even though he recently put his popular bar in downtown Johnstown up for sale.
Stadium Pub & Grille, located at the intersection of Johns and Washington streets, was in the heart of the activity at the city’s Thunder in the Valley motorcycle rally.
So when Visit Johnstown announced in September that it no longer planned to host the annual gathering after 25 years, Martella and other business owners started to imagine Rumble Through the Valley as an alternative.
A fundraiser is now scheduled for June 22 at Peoples Natural Gas Park before a full rally is planned for 2025.
“One has nothing to do with the other,” Martella said, referring to being involved in Rumble and selling the pub. “I’ve had some people comment on that. I still plan to be a part of this community.”
Martella spoke about what motivated him to help create Rumble: “I believe this town needs something going almost every weekend. Whenever you have a void that was left with Thunder, a group of business people got together. That will continue to grow.
“We plan on having a three-day event next year, one-day event this year. I’m just a stop on the trail on the Rumble Through the Valley. Hopefully the new ownership will believe in that, too, and take part in it. Next year, that Rumble will be something for all to enjoy.”
He officially opened the pub at the site of the former By George Inn on Feb. 17, 2020, but needed to alter plans when the COVID-19 pandemic hit shorty afterward. An unofficial reopening took place on June 5, 2020.
Martella said he is stepping away from ownership of the pub due to health reasons.
“My time with my family and my health is more important than the four years I put into the business,” Martella said. “I believe it’s a viable business. I’ve been lying to myself and my wife, saying, ‘I can do it all,’ and I can’t. … It’s a tough thing for me to let go of because I love the place so much, and I believe in what we started.”
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