Scenes from Atlantic Beach
11 photos from Friday's Bikefest beginning in Atlantic Beach. CHARLES SLATE/The Sun News
A group of ladies pose for photos by Jarvus Jones (second from right) and Shaun "Smoke" Tatum, both from Atlanta, who were selling music and sunglasses at the Atlantic Beach Bikefest.
Strolling the streets of Atlantic Beach, people- and bike-watching along with listening to the variety of music blasting from vendors' speakers, was the way some people began their Atlantic Beach Bikefest weekend.
Charlette Davis of Winston-Salem laughs as she walks along 30th Avenue South in Atlantic Beach. "I'm having a great time," she said.
A biker turns from the traffic chute onto 31st Avenue South in Atlantic Beach, where he had to stop and purchase a wristband to enter the town.
Bikers ride through the chute along U.S. 17 in Atlantic Beach on Friday.
Akon Giop, a vendor from Atlanta selling music and sunglasses watches the crowd Friday afternoon.
Jose Maymi of Fort Benning, Ga., (right) said, "They make enough money off of everybody, but we'll do our thing and support them," as he waited three minutes and 20 seconds to get a wristband Friday while entering Atlantic Beach on 31st Avenue South.
Monica Langley puts a wristband on her brother Sammy Langley as they enter Atlantic Beach. Sammy said, "We are still supporting the cause" as he along with Monica and brothers Brad and Tony all entered the event. The Langleys are from Carvers Bay.
Bikers ride through the chute along U.S. 17.
Binnie Davis (left) races his Kawasaki against Wayne Crawford on his Suzuki on the Dyno-Drag truck at Bikefest. Davis won reaching a speed of 174 mph over the simulated one-half mile from a standing start. Both are from Stanford, Conn., where Davis drives a drag bike for Crawford.
Bikers park along 30th Avenue South in Atlantic Beach.
Seems to me a lot of people are paying the $10. if that is the case it should be publicized in no uncertain terms!
Posted by: fhutch810 | May 27, 2006 at 11:23 AM
Read the stories in the newspaper. It was publicized. I'm sure they'll have a follow-up story about how much both weeks made for the city and town. Atlantic Beach paid some company to provide entertainment and pass out armbands. How much entertainment did you see? AB paid $100,000 to provide that entertainment. AB also charged each vendor almost $1000 each. This town and other company took their money and ran to the bank. Did you see any high-ticket talent there? I didn't. I saw pissed vendors who lost money and have said they won't be back.
Stop shouting racism, clean up your act, put on some clothes, drive safer and the town will embrace you. There's old white folk down here with lots of their retirement money. They control the council and who gets elected. Make them happy and they'll welcome you. Keep acting a fool and they'll run you out of town. Shame on all of you who paid it.
Posted by: Whatevah | May 29, 2006 at 09:15 AM
Listen people this festival has been going on for many,many,many years. Before many of us was even thought about. We have taken the bike festival to new extremes. Before little kids were able to go to the beach and see the motorcycles and cars. Now we can't take our small children to the beach without covering there eyes. I've going to the festivals since I was 6 years old. 13 years ago and I've watched it grow. I like the diversity but we took out the family part in the whole thing. We got to clean up our acts a little bit because they are trying to destroy us, seperate us, and even take the festival away. And I don't want to see it leave I want it to get it even bigger and better. To show the people that all black people aren't bad and we can be civilized and orderly. We need to bring bigger events so less bikers are on the road at one time. Host talents show for people all around and offer somethings. There need to be groups and organizations,talent scouts,and many other groups come together and make this event better and safer and more family oriented. Because if this festival leave than our towns are not worth coming to.
Posted by: crystal gray | May 29, 2006 at 09:33 AM
Yes Crystal, as of my understanding from my family that this used to be a family thing. Maybe every night should not be but I think they should at least have 1 night so that families can attend and enjoy the sites of the bikes. WE came down from Jersey to enjoy the festivities, and after 1 night of being there, we had no interest in going any other night! Mind you we only stayed about 5 blocks away. But this event is definitely not for the kids! Which is sad, just sad. I am not saying every night, but just one would have been nice.
Posted by: josi | May 30, 2006 at 04:40 PM
I have to admit, this event isn't for the young... With that they may want to institute a family night... Give the families a chance to come out and enjoy the bikes and cars @ Atlantic Beach... BUT>>> If whomever is managing this event doesn't get on the ball... This will fail...
THE $10 Question...I think that a lot of people were probably at issue with paying $10 and not being informed what was t the intention of the money... How many times have people been giving an empty promise, and the people don't deliver... I think that historically people want to help the North Atlantic Beach cause. But, no blindly... Did anyone see any literature as to WHO, WHAT, WHERE, and WHY this $10 per person charge was instituted... From a business standpoint (BAD BUSINESS) So, with that said I believe that there should be some sort of correspondence with the BBW crowd... I would venture to say that during BBW there are 200,000 to 250,000 people spending somewhere in the neighborhood of $150 Million DOLLARS!!!!! I think we might want to get CORPORATE AMERICA IN ON THIS TYPE OF CASH!!!! What do ya'll think????? RACISM.... THEY ONLY SEE THE GREEN!!!! Please email me @ Comf4tu@comcast.net and maybe we can get some progress started to correct some of the issues with the festival... Plus it didn't seem really festive... How about some carnival rides and games... Give it a different Flavor.... Email me...
Posted by: T.S. Wink | May 31, 2006 at 06:31 PM
just so you know vendors paid 1200.00 to be in atlantic beach and for what when half of them didn't hardly make enough to even off set the fee of 1200.00...
SHAME ON THE ATLANTIC BEACH CITY COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR..
because those poor people got nothing out of that 10.00 fee either and it was supposed to help them!!!
Posted by: keep it real | June 01, 2006 at 07:02 PM