September 19, 2004
Bainbridge -- One of South Georgia's largest annual biker festival wrapped up this morning. Bike Fest brought thousands of people to Bainbridge,revving up the local economy.
Bainbridge gas station owners were sad to see thousands of bikers from this year's Bike Fest pack up and head out of town.
"Oh we'll be back. We'll be back," says one biker as she fills up her bike with gas for the ride back home.
Workers at a large Shell Station on Highway 84 say the bikers quadrupled their regular sales.
I'm only see customers with this much leather on during the biker weekend," comments gas station clerk, Shena King.
During the three day event, riders spent big money eating at local restaurants and shopping at stores.
While almost half of them camped out or brought their own shelter, they still were buying up goods.
"We bought groceries to cook out ." says biker Mary Sorra.
At The Charter House Inn and Restaurant, all the rooms were booked with bikers and a few Hurricane Ivan evacuees still in town.
"We took care of our Hurricane Ivan people, and that just sorted itself right out before Bike Fest came in. So, that worked out well," says Susan Steiner of the Charter House Inn.
And although it could take weeks to determine just how much money Bike Fest pumped in the local economy, like the event itself the numbers are expected to be big.
Bike Fest also the raises money for charity.
posted at 5:28PM by scott.hunter@walb.com
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