9/14/2023 0 Comments Daytona beach news journal sale![]() ![]() Over in Samsula in 1967 Olga “Aunt Ollie” Weber, daughter of the town’s co-founder Joe Sopotnick, took over the neighborhood gas station and general store he’d built in the mid-’20s and gradually turned it into a bar and, twice a year for Bike Week and Biketoberfest, a biker haven where visitors could hang out, bet on illegal drag racing and camp in the old cabbage field next door. It also didn't hurt that Marlon Brando and James Dean were on the big screen a few years later making bikes, white T-shirts and leather jackets look cool.īy 1961, France moved the motorcycle races to his newly-built Daytona International Speedway but the party stayed largely on the beach. But wholesome fun was still encouraged: An "entertainment program for the diversion of motorcycle enthusiasts" was slated that included a "contest for the best uniformed police squad." This was likely helped along by the officers from 70 out-of-town police forces brought in by city leaders to help control the crowd and lay down the law that year. The 1950 event was described as quiet, orderly and "the most successful racing weekend in Daytona Beach history." And by 1951, the "Wild West" atmosphere was deemed a thing of the past. Watch Video: Scenes from the last day of Daytona Beach Bike Week 2022 Early Bike Weeks: The Mild Onesīike Weeks in the ’50s were, comparatively, sedate. "We have plenty more grenades if we need them," the sheriff was quoted as saying. A tear gas grenade was used to quiet the crowd in 1949 when some motorcyclists insisted on racing on Main Street, which had been blocked off for a street dance. Most places were "only charging moderate rents," an average of $4 or $5 for a double room without a private bath.īut things reportedly got so out of control that a Chamber of Commerce committee was formed to come up with a plan in 1948, endorsed by the American Motorcycle Association, for "preventing unbridled rowdyism." The plan included checking mufflers at all approaches to the city and handing out lists of rules for behavior to all visitors to help limit the influx of what the AMA referred to as "one-percenters," as compared to the "99% of the motorcycling public" who are "law-abiding."ĭid it work? Not right away. 21 story that reported every available hotel room and apartment was rented. But some locals and visitors continued to show up for the party every year anyway, race or no race, for an unofficial event that became known as Bike Week.įrance kicked things off again in 1947 and Daytona Beach was "jammed to the rafters," according to a Feb. In 1942 the race was put on hold for five years while the country fought in and recovered from World War II, which is why we're celebrating the 82nd anniversary this year instead of the 86th. ![]() ![]() In 1939 a News-Journal article reported that "the party got so rough that city firemen had to be called to dampen the crowd's spirits with a little cold water" and the National Guard had to be summoned.Ĭity leaders attempted in 1941 "to limit, if not eliminate the rowdyism" by organizing activities for fans, including field events, a 100-mile race for novices, a parade of motorcycle clubs, and "the presentation of trophies to the best-dressed woman motorcyclist." In the next four years crowds and entries doubled and things at the “Handlebar Derby” got a bit wilder. 38 Indian Motorcycle to the win before heading to Main Street to celebrate.īike Week and Biketoberfest: City discusses possible changes for hugely popular eventsīike Week and Biketoberfest changes? Here are four new things Daytona leaders are consideringĪfter the storms: Daytona Beach tourism works to weather impact of tropical storms Ian and Nicole About 15,000 fans watched Ed “Iron Man” Kretz ride his No. It all began in 1937 when almost a hundred daredevils on motorcycles raced each other on the road and packed sand of Daytona Beach in the first Daytona 200, launched by a group that included not-yet-NASCAR-president Bill France. Bikers and locals alike go to nonstop concerts and bike shows, go on long rides or just stay on Main Street for days watching it all go by. It’s a portable, 10-day street party of motorcycles of all kinds, eye-popping costumes, bikini-clad women, sidewalk vendors, parades, Clydesdales, beards, tattoos and alcohol. It’s our Mardi Gras, our Fantasy Fest, our Carnival. A gathering for motorcycle race fans, a drunken party, a biker brawl or a family vacation destination, Bike Week has been a lot of things over the years. ![]() Watch Video: Daytona Beach Bike Week: Bike event started with beach racingĭAYTONA BEACH - Bike Week, now marking its 82nd year, may not be your grandfather's - or even your great-grandfather's - bike rally. ![]()
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