NEW FOR WEDNESDAY: OC Bike Fest Promoter Buys Delmarva Bike Week
OCEAN CITY – After a couple years of having two competing motorcycle events in the region, OC Bikefest and Delmarva Bike Week have become one.
On Monday evening, Cliff Sutherland of OC Jams LLC came before the Mayor and City Council to give a brief update on the upcoming event, OC Bikefest, scheduled for Sept. 12-15.
During his presentation, Sutherland quickly mentioned OC Jams LLC had purchased Delmarva Bike Week in the beginning of March.
OC Bikefest is entering its third year as a relatively new event in Ocean City. Sutherland first proposed OC Bikefest to the Town of Ocean City back in 2010 after the Harley Davidson dealership on Route 50 was closed to consolidate operations with its sister store in Seaford.
The local dealership had served as the grounds for Delmarva Bike Week in Ocean City, and once it closed the closest venues were in Salisbury at Perdue Stadium and Winter Place Park or the Harley Davidson in Seaford.
Sutherland, who has served on Morgantown’s Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and the State of West Virginia Tourism Commission, understood the economic impact Delmarva Bike Week brought to Ocean City, and after vacationing for over 40 years in the resort, he did not want to see the town suffer from the loss of the event.
Sutherland explained this week the two events will remain separate and the same this fall for the most part.
“We are trying to feel our way through it. It is a real stretch of an event … it is a major undertaking, so we are trying to get through this year before we make any changes,” he said.
OC Bikefest will take place in Ocean City with venues in the Inlet Parking Lot and the Roland E. Powell Convention Center. Ticket sales for the event are already up 30 percent.
A slight difference this year is all the main acts will perform at the Inlet instead of being divided between the two venues to avoid scheduling conflicts. Therefore, the Inlet will be the only location to charge for entry.
This year OC Bikefest will be featuring music of the classic bands Three Dog Night, War, America, Foghat, Jackyl and more. The female dare-devil duo of Circus Una will return this year as well as the California Hell Riders "Wall of Death.”
New this year, with an OC Bikefest wristband or ticket attendees can ride the Park N’ Ride and public bus transportation in town for free.
“We are trying to create less traffic, a pleasurable experience for attendees, and a better situation for the residents of Ocean City,” Sutherland said.
The plus side to running both events is OC Jams LLC can now cross promote OC Bikefest and Delmarva Bike Week. Both events are a sponsor for each other and will both be featured and outlined in the Rally Guide this year.