Daytona Beach Bike Week facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Daytona Beach Bike Week |
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Activity on Main Street, Bike Week 2008
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| Location(s) | Daytona Beach and DeLeon Springs, Florida, USA |
| Founded | 1937 |
| Attendance | 500,000 |
| Patron(s) | Daytona Beach Chamber of Commerce |
| Website | https://www.officialbikeweek.com/: https://www.officialbikeweek.com/ |
Daytona Beach Bike Week is a huge event for motorcycle fans. It happens every year in Daytona Beach, Florida. People come from all over to enjoy this 10-day festival. The fun includes exciting motorcycle races, live concerts, parties, and street festivals. It's one of the biggest motorcycle gatherings in the United States.
The Story of Bike Week
The Daytona Beach Bike Week started a long time ago, in 1937. It began with a motorcycle race called the Daytona 200. This first race was held on a track that mixed beach and paved roads. A rider named Ed Kretz won that first race on his Indian motorcycle.
The yearly race took a break for a few years during World War II, from 1942 to 1947. It also paused in 2020 because of a worldwide health situation. Even when the official race wasn't happening, people still gathered for an unofficial "Bike Week."
In 1947, the official race started up again and became very popular. A famous person named "Big Bill" France helped promote the event. He was also a co-founder of NASCAR, which is a big car racing organization. His family's company still helps organize the Daytona 200 race and other Bike Week races at the Daytona International Speedway. This includes the Daytona Supercross, which is known for its amazing lights and fireworks.
Over the years, some of the race locations changed. For example, in 2010, some motorcycle races moved from the Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium to the Speedway. Later, in 2021, some flat track races moved to Volusia Speedway Park in DeLeon Springs.
How Law Enforcement Helps
During Bike Week, the Daytona Beach Police Department and the Volusia County Sheriff's Office work together. They help keep everyone safe and make sure the event runs smoothly.
What is Biketoberfest?
There's another big motorcycle event in Daytona Beach called Biketoberfest. It was started in 1991 by the Daytona Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau. Biketoberfest usually happens in October. Many people enjoy a scenic twelve-mile ride along the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail during this event. The Daytona International Speedway also hosts motorcycle races during Biketoberfest.
