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 New Orleans has its Mardi Gras, New York City has its St. Patrick Day, and Volusia County has its Bike Week.
What is not a secret is that on the first Thursday of March, an estimated 30,000 Bikers sill squeeze elbow to elbow for an all day party at Gilly's PUB 44 in New Smyrna Beach, all intent on being a part of what they call the best party of Bike Week - Annual PUB 44 Bike Bash ®. For many of them, it was not the first time they've attended this Noon to Midnight party, which turns the lake front lounge surroundings into an ocean of chrome and black leather as far as the eye can see.
The home of the original Bike Bash ®, PUB 44's line-up of rock and roll bands, along with plenty of suds, mixed drinks, barbecue, vending booths and the good old camaraderie of the brothers is what it's all about.
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"I don't know how to explain it," said Gilly Aguiar. "You can't tell people what it is until they experience it for themselves. There is such a feeling that comes over the crowd, the way they treat each other, and the way they treat us, they are a great bunch of people.
News of the annual Bike Bash ® spreads word-of-mouth among the bikers all year long to riders from the four corners of the world, drawn together by their love of motorcycle riding. "I start getting calls in November from all over, asking what day the Bike Bash® is. They are making their plans, and don't want to miss the party," says Gilly. "And my standard answer is: Thursday is Bike Bash ® Day, rain or shine!"
The curious mix of people mill around the grounds eating, drinking, shopping for leathers, Harley wares, or dancing to the music of the bands.
"It's the relaxed attitude, the feeling in the air of togetherness I come for," says a biker known only as Mike from Indiana. "My first year was in 1984, and I've been back every year since come hell or high water. Last year my Hog was down, so I had to make the trip on 4 wheels, but I made it. Heck, I have friends I meet each year here, and I couldn't miss it.
"Gilly started his Bike Bash ® in 1981 during the recession, when the U.S. - Japan trade deficit was at its peak. He decided to hold a party for the bikers and came up with the idea to smash a Japanese bike, keeping two things in mind: · Raise funds for charity · Encourage people to buy American. "It's not that I am against the Japanese, or their motorcycles. It was just a time when a lot of Americans were out of work due to the vast amounts of Japanese imports," Gilly explained. "I want to say 'Buy American, put an American to work.'"
And that he did, as is evident by his promotion of Harley-Davidson. Not only is Harley the predominant bike in the huge parking lots on all sides of PUB 44, it is also dominant inside. You may find yourself having a brew with Willie G. Davidson, the guru of Harley-Davidson, or his wife Nancy, who shows up early to start the bashing of the Jap bike, and enjoy the company of the faithful at this old-fashioned county fair-flavored biker party.
So whether you want food, beer, a drink or just the friendly chat over the cycles the brothers and sisters bring to show, get on your machines and ride to PUB 44 to see it for yourself!
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