The bikes are back in downtown Cape Coral.
So are Harley-Davidson T-shirts, leather vests and lots of hard-hitting rock ‘n’ roll.
That’s right: Cape Coral Bike Night rumbles back into downtown this Saturday. It’s the first Bike Night since February 2020 — right before the pandemic shut down everything in Southwest Florida.
Guitarist Marshall Stakks can’t wait to headline the event with his classic-rock cover band, Bad Latitude. There’s nothing like playing for a motorcycle-loving crowd, he says.
“It’s high-energy,” he says. “There’s more energy, more excitement, more people.”
You see a sea of blue jeans and black shirts and Harley-Davidson emblems everywhere. A lot of boots, a lot of bandanas, a lot of chains.”
Organizer Todd King can’t wait to see those crowds, too.
“I’m ecstatic!” says King, the city’s special events coordinator. “This is what I would call one of our most iconic events for our town. … It’s great to have it back.”
If you love bikes and bike culture, this is the place to be this weekend in Southwest Florida. Here’s everything you need to know about the popular event:
WHEN AND WHERE IS BIKE NIGHT?
Cape Coral Bike Night takes place 5-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9. The block party will stretch along Southeast 47th Terrace from Vincennes Street to Southeast Eighth Court.
The popular event happens three or four times a year in downtown Cape Coral. Two more Bike Nights are already scheduled for Feb.12 and April 9, 2022.
HOW POPULAR IS IT?
In a word: Very.
“It’s packed,” King says.
The five-hour block party usually draws between 12,000-18,000 people — many of them riding motorcycles to the event, King says. They’re all there to hang out with their fellow bikers, watch the bands, check out the other bikes and shop at vendors and food trucks.
There won’t be any required social distancing, masks or other COVID-19 protocols at the outdoor event, other than its location, according to King. The CDC says outdoor events are much safer than indoor ones.
If you’re unvaccinated, the CDC recommends wearing a face mask, avoiding mass gatherings and staying at least six feet from others. Vaccinated people are also advised to wear masks in public, indoor places in states where COVID cases are surging.
For more CDC guidelines, visit bit.ly/3fohmDC.
THE BAND
Cape Coral Bike Night usually has several bands performing, but they’re keeping it simple this time: One band, Bad Latitude, will play two different sets.
What can fans expect? Lots of hits from acts such as Led Zeppelin, Ozzy Osbourne, Guns N’ Roses, The Black Crowes, Mötley Crüe, Lenny Kravitz, Candlebox and Poison.
In other words, nothing but classic rock, says lead guitarist Stakks. “You’re not gonna find any Britney Spears in there.
Stakks played Cape Coral Bike Night about five years ago with his old band, Razing Cape, but this is his first time with Bad Latitude.
They’ll play two sets from 6:30-7:30 p.m. and 8-10 p.m. And all those hard-rocking songs will be aimed straight at the biker crowd, Stakks says. “This is their setlist. … We’ve got a pretty good barrel of songs.”
The band’s members are Stakks (lead guitar), Dion Sharp (vocals and guitar), Mark Sturman (drums) and Rafael Cartelli (bass).
Learn more at badlatituderocks.com or on Instagram (@badlatituderocks).
WHAT’S NEW
The Bike Night crowd can pick their favorite motorcycles of the night in the new Harley’s Angels Bike Show Contest.
To vote, visit the Harley’s Angels promo team and use one of their iPads. Rockstar Harley-Davidson is the event’s main sponsor.
Voting takes place from 6-8 p.m. The winners will be announced on the main stage around 8 p.m.
First place gets a $300 gift card from Rockstar Harley, King says. There are also second- and third-place prizes.
The contest is limited to 20 motorcycles. Registration is free and available online.
FOOD
Several vendors and food trucks will set up on Southeast 47th Terrace to feed the hungry masses, including:
- Nickel City Red Hots
- The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen
- Smokin’ Pot (it’s not what you think. They sell kabobs, shawarma and other Middle Eastern food)
- Nana’s Kettle Corn
- And I Want More Tacos
VENDORS
More than 50 vendors will be in the vendor village, King says. They’ll be selling everything from motorcycle add-ons to jewelry.
Scheduled vendors include:
- Apple’s Harley
- Austin Jewels
- Bodacious Biker
- Bootleg the Patch Guy
- Christian Motorcycle Association
- Cycle Solutions
- Fashion Sports & Sunglasses
- Haus of Trikes & Bikes
- Heavy Metal Jewelry
- Homes for Hero’s SWFL
- Idol Fashions
- Killer Jewelry
- Paparazzi Jewelry
- Smokey’s Lifestyle Cigars
- Soul Rebel Cycles
- And Your CBD Store
HISTORY
Cape Coral Bike Night has been around since 2005. But the event’s popularity really took off in 2015 after it started booking major rock acts.
Previous headliners have included Lita Ford, Quiet Riot, Living Colour, Molly Hatchet and David Allan Coe.
The event usually ends at 10 p.m. so the bands don’t keep nearby residents awake.
WHERE CAN YOU LEARN MORE?
To learn more about Cape Coral Bike Night, call 573-3128 or visit ccbikenight.com.
Connect with this reporter: Email crunnells@gannett.com or connect on social media at Charles Runnells (Facebook), @charlesrunnells (Twitter) and @crunnells1 (Instagram).
