Despite the coronavirus pandemic, tens of thousands of motorcyclists will descend upon Daytona Beach, Florida for the city’s annual Bike Week event.
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The city has reached an agreement with local bars for 60% indoor capacity in return for permits necessary for temporary outdoor sales and entertainment.
“I’m grateful to be open for Bike Week, grateful that the city allowed the vendors and the full Bike Week thing,” said Bobby Honeycutt, owner of Froggy’s Saloon, told The Daytona Beach News-Journal as the 10-day event began Friday. The bar is limited to 102 customers inside, but is serving from tubs and bars outside.
The Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the event, estimates 300,000 to 400,000 motorcyclists will attend. It typically draws 500,000.
“We know it’s likely to be less just because of COVID concerns, as well as many still struggling to make ends meet due to loss of income from COVID,” said Janet Kersey, the chamber’s executive vice president and chief operating officer.
Sam Acquaro is attending his 46th straight Bike Week, even though he believes his son caught the virus at last year’s, which happened just as the pandemic began spreading around the country and world. He is staying outdoors.
“It really attacked him, and he had to have caught that here,” he said. “So I haven’t been in a restaurant since.”
At John’s Rock N Ride souvenir store, owner Johnny Sanchez was selling a lot more $3 beers than the designer masks he offered for $7. Almost no one is wearing them.
“As far as masks are concerned, they are paying little attention to that,” Sanchez said, with a shrug. “It’s just the way it is. What can you do?”
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While the event will continue as planned, city officials are hoping to avoid a coronavirus outbreak similar to an incident…
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