It’s hard to overestimate the cool factor when it comes to motorcycle events in Daytona Beach. The beaches beckon, the bikes are works of art, the crowds come from around the world, and the fashion is, well leather-clad cool.
October 15-18, The Original American Beach will host more than 100,000 motorcycle enthusiasts and casual observers for the 23 rd Annual Biketoberfest® motorcycle rally and festival. Sponsors Amsoil, Geico and Sweet Ride Wine will have strong presence throughout the four-day event in which attendees soak up the sun and live music, visit iconic watering holes, and eat at some of the area’s trendy new restaurants.
As for the roar, fans will watch the pros compete in Daytona International Speedway’s world-famous motorcycle races – and they’ll also get a sneak peek at the Speedway’s $400 million “re-imagining” project.
Multiple locations throughout the Daytona Beach area — including Main Street, Riverfront Park and Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard – will host events, with plenty of music, foods and vendors.
What’s New?
Lively Main Street has just added Sunsetters Riverfront Bar and Grill to its mix. Located on the banks of the scenic Intracoastal Waterway, the location is already a locals’ fave. If you love all things Florida – and who doesn’t? – don’t miss the new Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art, the largest collection of art depicting Florida scenes. Next door, check out the Museum of Arts & Sciences’ new planetarium, with its laser light and music shows.
Love music?
Four solid days of live music in dozens of indoor and outdoor venues will celebrate the cooler riding weather and energetic fall vibe. Enjoy a free concert by Jackyl October 17 in the Coca Cola Pavilion at Bruce Rossmeyer’s Destination Daytona. Home of Daytona Harley-Davidson, this motorcycle mecca features a 109,000-square-foot showroom, an impressive selection of retail and specialty shops, restaurants and bars.
We’ve Got Your Blues.
Start your Daytona Beach getaway a few days early and enjoy the ever-popular Daytona Blues Fest, a Southest Tourism Society Top 20 award winner. This year’s Oct. 9-11 event at historic Jackie Robinson Ballpark is the perfect way to kick off your Biketoberfest® experience, with artists including Janiva Magness and Eddie Cotton, Jr.
Who Wore it Best?
People watching is always a popular attraction at Biketoberfest®. Attendees come from all over the world, and with dozens of event venues scattered throughout the area, there are plenty of places to go, plenty of people to meet and more photo ops than your smart phone can store.
Growing the Fun.
Biketoberfest® is exceeding expectations, both in social media fans and attendees. Digital marketing efforts have helped increase the event’s fan base amongst both younger riders and women. Over the past year, the event has seen its Facebook fans increase from 87,000 to more than 103,000, reinforcing event organizers’ strategy of retaining and enriching current markets while cultivating and growing new markets.
The Perfectly Placed Event.
Bikers who attended Sturgis’ 75th rally in August are well on their way to achieving the Triple Crown of motorcycle rallies. With Daytona Beach Bike Week’s 75th coming up March 4-13, Biketoberfest® makes for the perfect middle stop, for a truly historical motorcycle rally season. Plus, it’s the pivotal event for Daytona Beach’s Festival Capital of Florida fall round-up.
About the Daytona Beach Area and Biketoberfest®
Since 1992, Biketoberfest® has drawn thousands of riders to its motorcycle rally in Daytona Beach every October. The Halifax Area Advertising Authority, dba Daytona Beach Area CVB, is an 11-member board appointed by members of the Volusia County Council who oversee the spending of bed tax funds to market the Daytona Beach area to leisure and business travelers. The Daytona Beach area encompasses Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Shores, Holly Hill, Ormond Beach, Ormond-By-The-Sea, Ponce Inlet, South Daytona and Wilbur-By-The-Sea. The Daytona Beach area CVB works with area tourism and hospitality-related businesses, nonprofit organizations, and event promoters, to represent the area to potential travelers, tour operators, travel agents, meeting
planners, and travel media. For destination information, visit DaytonaBeach.com.
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