Ready to Ride: Bikes on the Beach rides into Bay Walk Saturday
For the second year in a row, the establishments of Bay Walk are coming together to hold a fund-raiser for the March of Dimes’ Bikers for Babies program.
Titled Bikes on the Beach 2010, hundreds upon hundreds of bikes of all makes and models (and their riders) will vroom on into Fort Myers Beach Saturday, Sept. 25, from 3 to 8 p.m.
“It’ going to be a big event the entire Bay Walk area will be packed,” said Stephen DeAngelis, general manager of the Yucatan Beach Stand, one of the participating establishments of Bay Walk. “Vendors will be set up under the bridge. This’ll be the first time we’re having an event that encompasses under the bridge.”
During the fund-raiser, be prepared to enjoy live entertainment from two stages throughout the day featuring live and local acts including the Stet.TV Band and the Elijah duo, food and drink specials from all of the participating restaurants (including Surf Pie, Nervous Nellie’s, Matanzas Inn Restaurant, Smokin’ Oyster Brewery and the Yucatan Beach Stand), vendors, contests, prizes and giveaways.
Norma Eveland, executive director of the March of Dimes and member of the Ronin Riding Club and Chrome Divas groups, is eager to bring the bikes back on the beach.
“We talked to Steve DeAngelis at the Yucatan Beach Stand last year and he asked if the March of Dimes wanted to be involved in the first Bikers on the Beach Motorcycle Expo,” she explained. “I asked the Ronin Riding Club if they’d help with that, and they did, and they loved the event so much, they wanted to have an annual event hosted on Bay Walk. It’s kind of evolved and we’re really excited to be back on the beach.”
“All of the Bay Walk places will offer something special that day. At the Yucatan, we’ll be doing a little barbecue outside with plenty of ice-cold beverages,” Steve said. “Our sponsors include Suncoast Beverage Company and Coastal Beverage.”
Of course, with all this high-octane-fueled fun comes an official bike show and competition.
“We expect some of the best artwork on two wheels to be there,” Steve said.
A post party later that day will host the awards ceremony for the bike show. For more information, or to join the fund-raiser, call 433-3463.
Also, ten-by-ten vendor spaces are still available, and can be had for $25.
Call Norma Eveland, president of the Southwest Florida March of Dimes organization, at 433-3463 or 910-3160.
“We expect a really big crowd,” Steve said. “Hope to see you there!”