On the scene // out+about A travel companion for points near and far
BEHIND BIKEFEST Thousands come from all over to enjoy the world’s largest three-day motorcycle and music event we fondly call Bikefest. But what does it take to put this massive event together? “Style” goes behind the scenes to find out. STORY: GARY CORSAIR PHOTOGRAPHY: MATTHEW GAULIN
A
year of planning fueled the roaring success of the 18th annual Leesburg Bikefest, but no amount of preparation could downshift the full-throttle pace of volunteers in the final days before the kick-start of the ultimate three-day street party. “Vendors come in Thursday morning and expect their space to be turn-key. And they are,” remarked Leesburg Partnership Executive Vice President Joe Shipes. Keeping 172 vendors (and 36 more up the road at Gator Harley-Davidson) happy is only the tip of the iceberg for Shipes, the Partnership staff and countless volunteers. Shipes has been involved since the first Bikefest, so he knows what — and when — things need to be done. But he’s also adapted as Bikefest has grown from infancy into a leader of the pack. This
108
I lakeandsumter
year’s event encompassed 30 downtown blocks and generated more than $1 million in revenue. “There are thousands of details that go into this event every year. The average person who comes to the event doesn’t realize all the things involved,” Shipes says. And they don’t see the frantic pace maintained by Shipes and his volunteers in the 96 hours leading up to Bikefest Friday. There are trash receptacles, ice machines, refrigeration units, signs, cones, barricades, portable restrooms, lights, tables, chairs, and tents to be placed … eight stages to build … schedules to coordinate, volunteer and security personnel training, merchandise to be unpacked and sorted, cash boxes to be prepared, lights to be strung, and
.com
extension cords to be laid. “We run miles and miles of extension cords,” says Jim Radeski, Leesburg Partnership board member and a fiveyear Bikefest volunteer. “A lot of things can only be done at night because it’s so difficult to work around people who work and shop in our downtown area. Some of our volunteers work through the night. It’s a real scramble.” Fortunately, most volunteers have worked past Bikefests. “A lot of people have been doing this for years,” Shipes says. “From the product people to the entertainment people, to the cashiers and all the bar support, setup crew, and breakdown crew, everybody knows what to do.” The volunteer army is always huge for Bikefest, but no one can say for sure how many people work behind the scenes to
