By Lulu

Vendors, MUSIC, food, bikini contest, little girl beauty contest, mechanical bull riding, wrestling, beer, cocktails, bike shows all in a beautiful downtown area right on the Cotee River. What more can bikers desire. Two full stages, from Friday night through Sunday, have some of the best free music that you can hear anywhere. This year’s line up included ZZ Top Notch, Wicked Serenity, The Headbang, Flying High Again, Jeremy’s Ten, Maximum Friction, Supply Chain, Signs of Sacrifice, Yaleo Santana Tribute, Bearded Brothers, Cowboy Kid Rock, Vern Daysel & The Burning Breeze, and a crowd favorite Jasmine Cain.

I am telling you there isn’t more music anywhere at a 3-day rally. And then the local spots have stages with live music to entice you to come drink with them! Our friend Mihn from Venom Cycles puts on a great bike show and I think even one on Sunday, although we were only able to catch the Saturday event. The main stage has a bikini contest, and the winner was a patriotic blonde cowgirl. Little girls get to take the stage and learn a bit about stage presence dressed in cute attire.

One of the highlights for me was Wicked Serenity’s show which is an amazing Godsmack tribute, when a little child who lost her dad to suicide got up to sing with the band. Lead singer of the actual Godsmack band, Sully Erna, and the band have a suicide foundation called Scars Foundation which he formed when he lost several friends to suicide. At some point he heard of this little girl, or she heard of the foundation, and they have taken her under their wings. She also feels it helps her heal the loss of her father by bringing attention to suicide. She even sang once with the real Godsmack. Adorable child and you can see the loss of her dad is a deep ache. The guys in Wicked Serenity even visited her when she was hospitalized. Good guys in this band and extremely talented if you get a chance to see them or hire them, DO!!! On Saturday morning there is a ride for a children’s charity out of New Port Richey H-D, stops included Kickin Wings, Wesley Chapel H-D where they served free hot dogs and burgers, Thirsty Buffalo Brew Factory and ended at the park. More photos of Cotee River Bike Fest are on our Thunder Roads Florida Facebook page. Thank you to Tina Farrell, Farrell Cares, New Port Richey, Florida’s Sports Coast, Fran Haasch, Doran, Beam & Farrell, and Venom Cycles for sponsoring this great 3-day event!