NEW PORT RICHEY — Downtown streets will be roped off this weekend, making way for the thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts expected to roll in for the annual Cotee River Bike Fest.
The three-day event, held Oct. 11-13 in Sims Park and downtown New Port Richey, will feature most of the usual.
Along with an abundance of awesome rides to check out, it offers live music playing on two stages, domestic and craft-brewed beer options, merchandise, food vendors and some good causes to support.
Proceeds benefit The Children’s Burn Foundation and The Red Apple School, a nonprofit that provides educational programs and meaningful activities to developmentally disabled adults.
Bike shows and contests on Saturday and Sunday will include trophies awarded in various classes — Street Custom, Bagger Custom, Extreme Custom, Ladies, Bobber, Every Day rider, Trike or Side Car, Best of Show and Judges’ Choice.
The Fire and Iron Poker Run will be on Saturday. The winner of the Custom Chopper Giveaway will be announced on Sunday.
American Combat Wrestling will be back this year, with bouts held Saturday and Sunday. Horny Mike & Shannon from the hit series Counting Cars will be at the event on all three days.
Bands appearing on the main stage at Sims Park include: The Rockaways, Completely Unchained, F19, Electric Woodshed, Bearded Brothers Band, Pitbull Toddler, Jackyl, Jaded Embry Brothers. Downtown stage bands are: Stonegrey, Smokin’ (Boston tribute), Grindstone, Fade to Grace, Subliminal Doubt (No Doubt tribute), Rockit Fly, The Verge.
If you go: The Cotee River Bike Fest will be Oct. 11-13 in downtown New Port Richey. Hours are 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Fire and Iron MC poker run starts at 10 a.m. Oct. 12 at Harley Davidson of New Port Richey, 5817 State Road 54, and ends at Sims Park in downtown New Port Richey. Cash prizes for first- and second-place and worst hand. For information, go to coteeriverbikefest.org