Thursday, October 14, 2010

DAYTONA BEACH -- Biketoberfest is set to roll into Daytona Beach, with an estimated 150,000 motorcyclists arriving in Central Florida for the four-day event.

The popular annual event, which could generate $200 million for the local economy, begins Thursday and runs through Sunday.

Biketoberfest draws motorcycle riders from all over the world and offers numerous festivities, including bike shows, racing and concerts.

"It's sort of a prelude to biker Halloween, you might say," said Steed Wyllie, who runs Froggy's Saloon in Daytona Beach. "We have a DJ booth up here, (and) girls on these platforms that will be dancing throughout the day and night."

Wyllie said business has been slow, so he's hoping the bikers rev up their engines and the economy.

"You can tell the economy has been slow in this country. I can tell by the amount of people that show up and how much business we do," said Wyllie, who added that bikers are great customers. "Waitresses to bartenders say bikers spend the most money, they have the best time and they are the easiest to deal with. There's a big myth, 'The bikers are coming to town, hide your women and your children.' It's not like that. It's a brotherhood of people."

The event was started in 1992 as a way to build on the popularity of Daytona Beach Bike Week, a 10-day event held every March.

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