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Motorcycle Festival Ride Getting Longer Route

By Mark Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: November 10, 2007

PALM HARBOR, Fla. - PALM HARBOR, Fla. - This year bikers participating in the Old Palm Harbor Main Street Fall Bike Fest Ride For Toys will start their engines at a new location and take an easy ride along a longer route.

Kathy Govola, spokeswoman for the event, said more than 1,500 motorcyclists are expected to participate in the ride, which collects toys for children of soldiers serving oversees through the Marine Corps Reserve's Toys For Tots.

The 2007 fall festival will be next Saturday, Nov. 17. This will be the fifth year for the event.

Motorcyclists will amass at high noon in the Wal-Mart at Alderman Road and U.S. 19. The cost to join the parade is $5 with a toy, or $10 without a toy.

From the Wal-Mart, the longer route will take the ride east to Belcher Road and then north to Klosterman Road.

The riders will then head west on Klosterman Road, to Alt. 19, and then north into Tarpon Springs for a tour of the city's picturesque bayous.

Riders then proceed back south along Alt. 19 to Florida Avenue, in downtown Palm Harbor, for the Fall Bike Fest that begins at 1 p.m.

Pinellas County sheriff's deputies and Tarpon Springs police officers will escort the riders.

At the festival in Palm Harbor's historic district, the motorcyclists can compete for prizes in categories ranging from street bikes to custom models. Motorcycling celebrity Radical Randy will be the host of the old-fashioned block party.

This year's event will include a classic car show along with vendors selling motorcycle apparel and paraphernalia, plus food and crafts.

Entertainment in the main stage will include The Legacy Band, The Brian Chris Band and headliner The Bobby Friss Band.

The event, Govola said, will last until 10 p.m., with the car show ending at 5 p.m.

Local restaurants along Florida Avenue, the historic district's heart, and the nearby Nebraska Avenue will have their own entertainment during the event and continue to party after conclusion of festivities.

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