Leesburg Bikefest

Everybody knows about Bikeweek and Biketoberfest in Daytona, but I have lived here for 15 plus years and never heard of Leesburg Bikefest.  My loss. 

Leesburg Bikefest is not a big and spread out as Bikeweek, but it does attract some 250,000 people and has some good entertainment.  In 2016 some of the highlights were Molly Hatchet, The Outlaws, Hypersona, and Bret Michaels, but there were over 50 bands playing over the weekend. 

There is also a lot of bike related contests with some very cool bikes to look at and some more not-family friendly 'hot body' type contests involving human bodies rather than bike bodies. 

There are a lot of vendor stands set up all around the town square and the town shops, including a lot of antique stores, are open during the event.

The nice thing about this bike show is that everything is compact and walkable.  You can go from band to band, venue to venue within about a three block area. 

Since the event takes place at the end of April it is likely the weather will be dry and not intolerably hot.  It is definitely worth walking around and enjoying the festival if you have an interest in motorcycles or classic/southern rock music.

Website:  http://www.leesburgbikefest.com/

Downtown Melbourne St. Patrick's Day Parade

Every year around St. Patrick's Day, but always on a Saturday morning, Meg O'Malley's http://www.megomalleys.com/ and the Ancient Order of the Hibernians  http://www.aoh.com/ sponsor a St. Patrick's Day Parade through downtown Melbourne.  I have been attending and participating in this parade since 2009 (or maybe before that) and it has grown into a bigger more popular event every year. 

There are all of the normal small town parade participants.  Civics groups, scouts, clubs, bands, police, fire trucks, old cars, shriners, and in recent years, more and more organizations are bringing floats.  Lots of beads get handed out and candy too.  The parade participants are not allowed to actually thrown beads and candy to the spectators due to the risk of hurting someone, but that doesn't stop the crowd from yelling for them.

With it being St. Paddy's day and all, there is a lot of green going on.  And kilts.  And bagpipes.  And strange version of weird combinations like a Star Trek Storm Trooper in a kilt. 



After the parade there is time for lunch and shopping around downtown.  Usually the bar/restaurant Mainstreet Pub has visiting bag pipers on and off all day.  Meg O'Malley's is understandably busy throughout the day.  And around 5pm or so, they start shutting down the street for the street party.  All in all a very fun day out. 

Tips:  The parade is free, but bring some cash to support the downtown businesses.

Bring something to carry candy in, especially if you are bringing children.

Arrive early to get a good seat on the parade route.  The heart of downtown is the most crowded area.

Wear green and join in the fun.  It is what you make of it!