Jeep Beach invades Daytona International Speedway with 'Main Event'
DAYTONA BEACH — Despite threatening clouds and the lingering chance of rain, a procession of thousands of Jeeps still rolled on Friday morning at the opening day of the annual Jeep Beach “Main Event” on the infield at Daytona International Speedway. The Speedway gathering, one of the popular fixtures of the weeklong Jeep Beach, showcased a midway packed with vendors hawking every imaginable brand-specific part or accessory, items that ranged from custom wheels to conversion kits to transform vehicles into rolling homes-away-from-home. The two-day “Main Event” will continue on Saturday at the Speedway with a new wrinkle: a closing concert by pop singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat, followed by a fireworks display. More Jeep Beach fun: Jeep Beach party returns to Daytona's Hard Rock Hotel On Sunday, the weeklong Jeep Beach officially concludes with an early-morning Jeep Beach parade on Daytona Beach that includes a “Jeep Beach Sweep” to clean litter off the sand. Staging for that that event will start at 5:45 a.m. at all open beach ramps between International Speedway Boulevard and Dunlawton Avenue. The parade is slated to start at sunrise, at 6:43 a.m. A beach pass is not required for the parade. At 'Main Event,' obstacle course tests Jeeps and their drivers At the Speedway on Friday, meanwhile, the main attraction was watching Jeeps of all shapes and sizes tackle the event’s formidable obstacle course. Jeepers kicked up dirt and debris as they pushed their off-road vehicles against the course littered with cracked remains of massive concrete water pipes, highway barriers and other objects that most drivers would avoid. In the nearby grandstand, onlookers marveled at the power of engines and suspensions that snarked and groaned against the rough terrain. “This is awesome,” said Eddie Walters, 50, who traveled from Silver Springs with his wife, Heidi, for the couple’s first Jeep Beach. They traveled by Jeep, of course, the fifth one that they have owned. “We’re not taking it on the obstacle course,” he said. Jeep Beach means big opportunity for brand-specific vendors For vendors, Jeep Beach is an opportunity to showcase products and services for a gathering that is now in its 20th year and attracted more than 225,000 visitors and 25,000 Jeeps to Daytona Beach in 2022. “We’ve been coming since the beginning,” said Ricky Artes, owner of Orlando-based JeepersDen, a company that has sold a wide array of Jeep accessories since 1997. The company travels to roughly 17 Jeep events annually in Florida, Georgia and Tennessee, “but this is the largest event we do,” Artes said. “Coming to Daytona, to the Speedway, people just love it. It’s a very, very busy show and it gets busier every year.” This year, the event expects to top those totals in pursuit of a goal of raising $1 million for an array of more than 70 area charities in Volusia and Flagler counties, according to organizers. For first-time attendee Eddie Walters, it’s the camaraderie of Jeep Beach that he has most enjoyed. “We’ve been to all the events,” he said. “It’s kind of like a big family.”
Daytona Beach prepares for 100,000 visitors at Bike Week 2023
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Daytona Beach is already full of riders for the 82nd annual Bike Week. For the next 10 days, organizers expect hotels and businesses across the region to be packed with visitors for the world’s largest motorcycle event. What You Need To Know Bike Week 2023 kicked off in Daytona Beach Friday One Daytona Beach hotel general manager says he is expecting 100,000 riders to visit the city over the next 10 days This weekend marks the event's 82nd year On a chaotic morning at an oceanfront Daytona Beach hotel, general manager Jim Berkley said he was prepared for a complete sell out, but this year all 744 rooms were booked out more quickly than usual. “Typically, we don’t start selling out until the Friday night when Bike Week begins, like tonight," he said. "However, our sellout started Wednesday night." The hotel lobby was filling with bike enthusiasts Friday morning, with people checking in wearing past Bike Week T-shirts and luggage. Behind the desk, Berkley said his staff and hotel are prepared. “We have extended hours in all of our outlets, we have a lot of outdoor activities, and it’s just a lot of planning and ultimately executing this over a very extended citywide event of 10 days for Bike Week 2023,” Berkley said. For the people planning the weeklong event, like Janet Kersey at the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce, the sound of a busy hotel was music to her ears. “You know this is very important to us," she said. "It’s a way to start the year out after you’ve been through so many things." Data show that Volusia County suffered $852 million in storm damage from hurricanes Ian and Nicole, and Kersey said the county's businesses worked tirelessly to get back on their feet for a busy spring. “We have worked very, very hard since the hurricanes to make sure things are right for our visitors that come in town," she said. "Most important to us is our safety of our visitors. We do have some hotels that are still trying to get themselves back up." The event and its impact is stretching across the state, with events and visitors in Orlando and as far north as Jacksonville, Kersey said. Back at the Hilton, Berkley said his staff is ready to hit the gas on one of the year’s biggest weeks. “We’re now just gliding right into Bike Week, and we’re expecting the attendee count to surpass any other prior attendee counts that have ever happened in Bike Week in Daytona Beach,” he said, adding that at least 100,000 visitors are expected in the city over the next 10 days. However, Berkley said he did know of some area hotels that were unable to get their full inventory of rooms repaired in the for the weekend, which might have led to increased demand elsewhere. At the chamber, Kersey said this month alone will bring in $1 million in hotel taxes. 2023 Bike Week will continue the next 10 days with special events, merchandise and other programming.
Daytona Beach Bike Week Events
March 3-12, 2023 The 82nd Annual Daytona Beach Bike Week, one of best known motorcycle rallies in the world, is March 3-12, 2023. Motorcycle enthusiasts are invited to enjoy spring riding in Daytona Beach for this 10-day rally - along historic Main Street to Midtown, Scenic A1A Highway and through the best of old Florida, the Ormond Beach Scenic Loop. The celebration continues at Daytona International Speedway, Teddy Morse's Daytona Harley-Davidson, and the U.S. 1 corridors and other locations throughout Volusia County. Looking for a place to stay? Check out lodging availability. For information about Daytona Beach Bike Week events, vendors, parking and more, go to the official event website, OfficialBikeWeek.com or call the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce at 386-255-0981. Please visit responsibly. We've tracked these Top Rides so you can rack up the miles, soak up the sun, take in the sights and share a self-guided ride with friends: Street Festival Ride - To Main Street and Midtown and back. Lucky Ride - From Daytona Beach Racing & Card Club to DeLand and back. The Loop through a 30+ mile loop known for its lush canopies of live oaks, scenic river and marsh views. Iconic U.S. Hwy 1 Ride featuring the area's iconic restaurants and bars to scenic A1A, The Loop and back. National Seashore Ride through New Smyrna Beach to Canaveral National Seashore and back. Ponce Inlet Ride to Ponce Inlet Lighthouse and back. Old City Ride to St. Augustine and back.
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