Here you Go Folks
There’s a spring migration of Spyders heading straight for Cuba. But these Spyders aren’t the kind with eight legs; instead, they have three wheels.
Next week, Spyder bikers from all over the United States will be converging on the town of Cuba for Spyderfest 2011, a celebration of all things Spyder-related. The week has been scheduled full of things to do once the bikers get here.
“This is going to be big, much bigger than last year’s event,” said organizer Len Damouth. “We basically were just getting our feet wet last year. We put that together at the last minute, and it turned out so well that we decided to make it a yearly event. We’ve spent the past 12 months getting ready for the week of Spyderfest in Cuba. It’s going to be something special, we hope.”
Damouth said the first Spyderfest was only supposed to be a 30- to 40-bike ride. More than 100 bikes turned out for that two-day festival. This year, there’s much, much more planned for the estimated 800-plus Spyder bikers that will be coming to Cuba next week.
“We have things going on every day. Cuba is the perfect location for something like this, because it serves as a sort of hub from which you can go in all different directions and take great bike rides,” said Damouth. “We want this to be a special, one-of-a-kind event for Spyder lovers, but we also want it to be a positive experience for the town of Cuba and for the whole area. There’s going to be a lot of economic activity brought to Cuba for Spyderfest, a lot of money spent here. We want to see it be a plus for our local businesses and an opportunity for them to show our guests how great a place Cuba really is.”
Registration formally opens Wednesday morning at Cowtown USA, although a pre-party with live music has been arranged for early arrivals on Tuesday night at Roadhouse Bar & Grill. Wednesday events include a VIP dinner at Recklein Auditorium and a “meet and greet” with the vendors who are coming in for the week.
On Thursday, Spyderfest officially kicks off with the opening of Vendor Village at Hood Park and various ride opportunities for the visitors. That night, there will be live music, games, a bonfire and chili cook-off at Wagon Wheel Motel to benefit the Friday Backpacks for Cuba program.
On Friday, a celebrity pancake cook-off prior to the day’s rides will take place at Cowtown. Scenic rides take place all day, with Spyder riders returning for dinner at local restaurants and a live band after party at Cuba Lakes that will include a “Spyders on the Green” riding game. It will also benefit the Friday Backpacks for Cuba program.
Saturday events include a barbecue at Cowtown USA, group rides, a Spyder parade through Cuba, an after party at Recklein Auditorium, and a nighttime mural tour that ends with a salute to veterans.
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