TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Highlands Today

Riders Flow Into Sebring For Fourth Annual Run To The Heartland

Jesse Osbourne/Highlands Today

Workers helped set up a tent for Cycle Promotions, a promotion company out of Daytona Beach. The tent will host biker games during the 4th annual Run to the Heartland bike festival over the weekend.

ADVERTISEMENT

By MANDY SHEETS | Highlands Today

Published: October 4, 2007

SEBRING — Riders are revving up their motorcycles for this weekend's Run to the Heartland.
Lora Todd, marketing director for Run to the Heartland, said she estimates the attendance will be about 60,000 for the three-day event, hosted by Heartland Riders Association. This year the event is the official Southeast Regional Convention for the American Motorcyclist Association, which generates a lot of additional traffic, Todd said.

Last year's event resulted in about $2 million of economic impact for the city of Sebring, according to organizers, and they expect twice as many people this year, Todd said.

"People are coming to Sebring and staying in the hotels, getting gas, eating meals and buying things," Todd said. "Plus we have a lot of people who come for the event and then decide to come back another time for a visit."

The fourth annual Run to the Heartland will feature live music, a bike show, poker run and several demonstrations. The free event will be from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

A free Kids Zone will be set up at Sebring Middle School on Friday and Saturday featuring games, bounce houses and various demonstrations.
Hundreds of vendors will set up booths selling food, rider gear, jewelry and crafts.

Downtown business owners have had mixed responses to the event. Some complain people only come in to use their restrooms, while others say they do their best business during the event.
"Bikers spend money just like anyone else," Todd said. "It's disappointing that some of the businesses won't be open because I think a lot of people would enjoy shopping there."

Pete Pollard, executive director of Community Redevelopment Agency, said downtown business owners decide their hours during special events.
"It's up to the individual businesses to open or not based on whether they think it will generate business for them," Pollard said. "We have a mix of people who are open longer hours and some that don't open at all."

Rhonda Barnes, owner of Steve and Co., said she is excited about the weekend, which brings a constant flow of people into her store.
"We see a lot of business, so we love this event," Barnes said. "There is nothing not to like about an event that brings so many people downtown."

Theresa Gutekunst, of Samich Place, said they will be open longer hours than normal to accommodate the increase in business.
"In years past, we've have nonstop business," Gutekunst said. "This year is supposed to be even bigger, so I'm sure it will be crazy."

Todd said most of the riders come from throughout Florida, but one is coming all the way from Vermont. Many stay for the entire weekend in a local hotel.
"We are trying to add more events to lure people to stay and make a weekend of the event," Todd said.

Don Elwell, general manager of Kenilworth Hotel, said he expects his hotel to be filled to capacity this weekend, and he said most of the other hotels are experiencing a similar influx.
"Most of the hotels rooms in Sebring will be full from this event," Elwell said.

4th Annual Run To the Heartland Schedule
FRIDAY, OCT. 5
11 a.m.- Opening Ceremonies, Sebring Circle
5:30-8 p.m. - CJ & Cheap Shot at the Circle
8:30-11 p.m. - Quick Fire at the Circle
Events at the Civic Center
4:30-9 p.m. AMA Sign-in
6-6:45 p.m. Riding Apparel & Bathing Suit Fashion Show
6:45 p.m. - Central Florida Drill Team Demo
7-9 p.m. Sunset Blues on the Beach by Red, White & Blues

SATURDAY, OCT. 6 (All Events At The Circle)
9 a.m.- Opening Ceremonies
8-10 a.m. - Firsco's Abate Poker Run Sign-up
10 a.m.-5 p.m. - Bike Show Sign-up
10:30 a.m. - Jerry "Motorman" Palladino Demo
11 a.m. - Central Florida Drill Team Demo
11 :30 a.m. - Bike Games
11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. - Flor & the Puppies
1 p.m.-Jerry "Motorman" Palladino Demo
1 :30 p.m. - Central Florida Drill Team Demo
2:30 - 5 p.m. - Unforgiven
3 p.m. - Jerry "Motorman" Palladino Demo
4 p.m. - Bike Games
5:30 p.m. - Poker Run & Bike Show Results
6-8:30 p.m. Pressure Point
9-11 p.m. - Bounty Hunter

SUNDAY, OCT. 7 (All Events At The Circle)
9-12 p.m. - Worship,. in the Heartland by LJ Ministries
Opening music by Jokaroha
Special Appearances by Al Paquette
World Arm Wrestling Champion Bobby Hopkins and
Karate Master Fred LaSala
11a.m.-12 p.m. -Jokaroha
12 p.m. - Blessing of the Bikes
12:30 p.m. - Jerry "Motorman" Palladino Demo
12:30 -3 p.m. Southbound
3 p.m. - Jerry "Motorman" Palladino Demo
3 :30-6 p.m. Quickfire

KIDS ZONE Sebring Middle School safe and secure area with games, bicycle rodeo, face painting, karate demonstrations and more

FRIDAY, OCT. 5
4-8 p.m.: Basketball, Bounce Houses, Games and fun.
6 p.m.- Karate Demonstration by Karate Master Fred LaSala

SATURDAY, OCT. 6
9 a.m.- 8 p.m: Basketball, bounce houses, games and fun.
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Bicycle skill riding & rodeo
11a.m. - Karate demonstration by karate master Fred LaSala
4 p.m. - Demo by World Champion Arm Wrestler Bobby Hopkins
6 p.m. - Karate Demonstration by karate master Fred LaSala

All vendors will be open from 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. (Friday,) 9 a.m.-10:30 p.m. (Saturday) and 9 a.m.-6 p.m.(Sunday)

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT