NSBNEWS.net photo by Henry Frederick. Longwood resident Jerry Brown got a day's head start on Biketoberfest with a visit to Pub 44 in New Smyrna Beach. The four-day fall motorcycle rally begins today.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The way Longwood resident Jerry Brown sees it, since he's been unemployed for 10 months now, he might as well get on his Harley-Davidson and attend Biketoberfest events with a few buddies from up north at places like Pub 44, which he believes will help the local economy.
"It's cheap enough where I can still have fun," the 53-year-old biker said as a Wednesday night began making way four four days of two-wheeled hog heaven. "People look forward to Biketoberfest," Brown said, resting his sleek 1988 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Classic on its kick stand.
Brown said a few friends from northern Kentucky will hang out with him, making the daily drive to New Smyrna Beach, Daytona Beach and other venues in the area, recognizing all they need is a couple bucks to fill up their tanks and some meal money and a couple of cheap souvenirs -- be it patches, pins, hats, T-shirts.
Most places like Pub 44 will feature live bands to draw in the crowds so Brown and his visitors will take advantage of any opportunities to catch the flavor that is Biketoberfest.
Event organizers are expecting at least 50,000 bikers in Volusia County. Because Pub 44 is situated right next door to Bruce Rossmeyer's NSB Harley-Davidson on State Road, just a couple miles east of Interstate 95, it's New Smyrna Beach's Biketoberfest mecca.
Brown said that as long as the sour economy remains, he might as well have some fun while "waiting to see what Obama does about it."