By Lulu

Some photos provided courtesy of AB3 Visuals-Taylor Paul

This was our first St. Pete Bikefest since they moved it off the beach! I didn’t really know what to expect since it is basically a rally on premise at OCC Road House & Museum and Bert’s Barracuda H-D in Clearwater. First, let me say, if you haven’t visited OCC, it is really an impressive venue. Large inside restaurant with a museum of the bikes and memorabilia of Orange County Choppers. The bikes are something to see, but I also really enjoyed all the photos and the wall of badges! Then there is the outside venue with two stages under the massive pavilion, outside seating and during the rally, a bunch of vendors. A huge area outback was the site of the headline concerts and the bike show. Bert’s Barracuda next door was jammed full of bikes, apparel, and Harley merch. While we were inside the dealership, I saw two bikes going home with women who had just signed the contract for their brand-new rides! You go girls!! Every day, scantily clad girls were very busy washing bikes. We didn’t arrive until Friday, so we missed Thursday’s bands Scotty Austin of Saving Abel and Signs of Sacrifice, the Creed tribute. But the headliners Molly Hatchet on Friday night and Hinder on Saturday night did not disappoint! Other bands daily, throughout the weekend, included Tony Tyler Band, Sunset Strip, The Lost Boys, Shovelhead and Full Throttle Band. 3 great days of music for all to enjoy! An artist, Debra Filipelli, was skillfully painting faces and body parts of the young and old. On Saturday afternoon, while the bike show was going on, Rock & Wrestling simultaneously entertained the masses with 2 matches and even kids from the audience were allowed to go in the ring for a bit to play with the wrestlers. Mechanical “Bull” Shark riding got some of our favorite peeps bucked to the mat. Sadly, we missed the Reign Bikini Contest as we thought it started an hour later, and it was over when we arrived. Later, on Saturday night, in front of the main stage 2 custom builds were unveiled that were to be auctioned off for charitable causes. My favorite part of the weekend was the burnout show which included eight bikes from the dealership, in the pit, burning the rubber right off, all at the same time! Amazing! Great burnout show! The ride in bike show trophies were sponsored and presented by Fran Haasch Law Group. Paul Teutle, Sr. led the Sunday morning Sunshine Skyway Ride. Hundreds of bikes made the ride and returned to the festival later. Closing out the 4-day party was a raffle drawing for a brand new 2024 Heritage. The lucky winner was a local resident who they called live on the phone to notify him that he had won, but he didn’t arrive before we packed up and headed out. Every rally we attend has its own personality. This one was fun for us as we met lots of new peeps, saw bikes we haven’t seen in the show, loved the 3 days of music and the entire event seemed organized and even family friendly! If you haven’t experienced the OCC Roadhouse and Museum and Bert’s Barracuda H-D complex, you must do it. It’s worth the trip just to see the American Flag that flies 200 feet high above the property. This 100’x 60’ symbol of patriotism is the most awesome I have ever seen. Bert’s GM John Dempsey called it a “gift to the community.” My response, “that is a gift to America”! See y’all there next year!