Daytona Bike Week 75th Anniversary Ten Days Full of Exciting Events
Daytona Bike Week is actually longer than a week. It starts Friday, March 4, and doesn’t end until Sunday, March 13. This 75th Anniversary year, the great get-together has more events than ever. The official website has an awesome calendar. All the events are listed and you can press a “save” button to create your own personalized schedule. What’s more, you can add your own events to the calendar. Maybe you always have lunch with the same folks every Bike Week or want to set aside time to sightsee. You can add that to your printable calendar.
Here’s just a taste of the variety of events going on during Bike Week.
The Daytona International Speedway Motorsports Stadium has a plethora of events in addition to free tent camping. You can take free demo rides on all the big manufacturer’s latest rides as long as you have a valid motorcycle driver’s license and a DOT-approved helmet. Custom builders and manufacturers will have display areas. K&G Thunder Alley will have live music and drink specials, too.
You’ll find several swap meets. The 38th Annual Daytona Swap Meet will be at the Daytona Flea Market with motorcycle stunt shows and live music along with the vendors. The 12th Annual Bike Week Motorcycle Swap Meet Extravaganza & Bike Show features the Wall of Death performance, Madd Max costume contest and bikini contest along with acres of vendors—all at the Volusia County Fairground in Deland. On March 6, there’ll be extras like the Rat Bike Show and the Sidecar and Trike Show.
Along with the well-known bars like Froggies and the Cabbage Patch, the Halifax River Moose Lodge 2516 welcomes riders for drinks, bar games, snacks, and wholesome fun. Strokers Billiards and Grille in Edgewater is offering Hunks the Show for ladies’ night out.
You’ll find motorcycle shows galore: vintage; baggers; rats. The most-intriguing-name award goes to Willie’s Tropical Tattoo Old School Chopper Show in Ormond Beach. It has all the 4 B’s, too: bikes, bands, BBQ, and beer. And once you’re in Ormond Beach, stop by Lorraines’ Kitchen for the hot dog eating contest.
If you’re brave (or foolhardy) enough, try the 7th Annual Ricky Carmichael Amateur Supercross at the Speedway. Pros start the event on Saturday, and the amateurs take over Sunday and Monday.
Lots of the events include drinks (even free beer at some). But we found events that are kept clean and sober, too. For instance, on Saturday, March 5, you can see the movie Rockshow about Paul McCartney and Wings and have free hot dogs and popcorn (while they last) in Bunnell. And also in Bunnell, on Sunday there’s a family event with homemade root beer, cotton candy, biker games, kids games, and more.
The Florida State Parks Department is sponsoring a poker ride on March 6 from Tomoka State Park through Bulow Creek, North Peninsula, Washington Oaks parks to Anastasia Park in St. Augustine. Enjoy activities at each park; you’ll be able to buy food and drinks at Anastasia.
We haven’t even touched on the big drawing or the Marshall Tucker Band or some of the most popular events because you probably remember them from previous years. If you go to Daytona, let us know! Maybe we can feature your report and some photos in a later newsletter or on the Eagle Leather Facebook page.
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