OFF THE WIRE
Biketoberfest is an annual event held around the Greater Daytona Beach, Florida, area in mid-October. Biketoberfest was conceived in 1992 as a supplement to the spring Bike Week event. Both celebrations are exciting motorcycle rallies, and are said to be about biking and brotherhood. The official dates of this year's event will be from October 13 to 16, 2011.
Biketoberfest was started in 1992 by Janet Kersey, the former head of the Daytona Beach Convention and Visitor's Bureau. Biketoberfest was created to fill a void in Daytona's off-season in the Fall. This year, up to 250,000 bikers are expected to visit Central East Florida, dubbed "Florida's Fun Coast."
The original Biketoberfest focused on Main Street in Daytona Beach, with local bars (Bank and Blues Club, Boothill Saloon, Froggy's Saloon, Wiseguy's Watering Hole) featuring bands and vendors showcasing leather jackets and other biker merchandise; however, the event has expanded beyond this area. For example, Daytona International Speedway now features the "Fall Cycle Scene," with several motorcycle races going on at the track for racing fans. More vendors set up shop along Ridgewood Avenue (US Route 1) in South Daytona to offer biker t-shirts, leather chaps and other goods. Nearby Ormond Beach also has several biker bars (Broken Spoke Saloon, Iron Horse Saloon) that spring to life during Biketoberfest, as well as a fairly new location named Destination Daytona.
New Smyrna Beach to the south also has a number of biker bars (Pub 44, Sopotnick's Cabbage Patch) and destinations that bikers favor. New Smyrna Speedway also offers Modified auto races during Biketoberfest for race fans. Other cities and towns nearby welcome bikers, such as Daytona Beach Shores (Metz Lounge, Surfside Tavern, Ya Ya's Beachside), Port Orange (Last Chance Saloon, First Turn Sports Bar), Flagler Beach (Finnegan's Beachside Pub), Bunnell (Black Cloud Saloon), East Palatka (Cheyenne Saloon), and Pomona Park (Fat Boys Saloon).
Daytona Beach officials have hesitated in expanding the official dates of Biketoberfest beyond a single weekend; however, many bikers have learned they can arrive early, during Columbus Day weekend, and stay for an entire week in the Daytona area. Hotels usually charge higher rates during the official dates of Biketoberfest, but normal October rates are charged if arriving early. Bars and restaurants are usually fully staffed and stocked up prior to the official dates as well. An example of an early event is the Daytona Blues Festival, planned for October 6 - 8, 2011, at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
Signs are usually posted outside businesses, asking "No Colors Please." Since Biketoberfest is about brotherhood, clashes between biker clubs are discouraged. Participants are urged to only wear black and to show respect for fellow bikers.
There are a wide variety of hotels and lodging in the area, from name-brand hotels, motels, campgrounds, and RV parks. There are many choices to be found, according to your budget.
More information:
http://www.biketoberfest.org/
http://www.daytonabeach.com/
http://www.bikerbeach.com/
http://www.examiner.com/tourism-in-orlando/biketoberfest-2011-planned-daytona-beach-florida