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Tourism in Leesburg

The Leesburg area has seen more and more visitors in recent years, in part thanks to events like the Leesburg Bikefest™ in April. More than 300,000 motorcycle enthusiasts turn out for the three-day annual event with headline performers like Leon Russell and Foghat. Each year, downtown streets are closed to provide parking for a dazzling display of custom motorcycles. The Ms. Bikefest Contest also is a festival favorite.

Motorcycle Monster founder Dan Derringer said, “The Leesburg event is no longer a regional event. With the crowds I saw this weekend and the huge expansion of vendor areas, it is apparent to me that Leesburg is now one of the leading national motorcycle events.” Derringer added, “It also has continued to grow over the past decade in size and popularity, while many of the large events have seemed to lose their energy. I believe nationally famous builders and larger vendors are missing what may be one of the top five motorcycle events in the nation.”

As the entertainment continued, non-stop riders could watch world-class bands on four stages, enjoy the world famous Rats Hole Show, take a peek at the famous Hawaiian Tropic Girls, get some riding tips from the Motorman, or watch the famous Adam Holbook doing his impossible trials stunts. The entertainment didn’t stop for three days as promoters again gave visitors a full program with no cost to the attendees.

When asked about the comparison to Daytona, Derringer said, “I’ve never seen as many bikes in Daytona on Main Street as I saw in downtown Leesburg on Saturday. The only place I have ever seen that many bikes in one location was in downtown Sturgis. In fact Leesburg reminds me of Sturgis, a laid back community with more appreciation of the motorcycling visitor.”

Derringer also said,” I believe Joe Shipes and his staff at the Leesburg Partnerships are some of the best motorcycle event promoters I have ever known. They have kept the ‘small event feel,’ while the overall size of the event has become huge. I congratulate them for a great job!”

With the tremendous growth of Leesburg Bikefest over the past few years, it is apparent that Leesburg is more than an up and coming event. Leesburg Bikefest 2007 edition, Joe Shipes and the Leesburg Partnership have again won the competition for Motorcycle Monster “Event of the Year.”

In February, the Leesburg Partnership hosts Leesburg Mardi Gras “Party in the Street.” The Mardi Gras celebration is complete with parades, “krewes” and a Mardi Gras Ball to crown Leesburg’s King Rex and Queen Divine. Vendors and community fundraising groups serve authentic fare, and the Mardi Gras Store at the Partnership offices on Magnolia sells beads, masks and Mardi Gras attire to benefit the event.

March marks the arrival of the Leesburg Fine Art Festival, presented by the Leesburg Center for the Arts. Artists sell their works along Main Street.

During the first week of April, the Partnership holds the Spring Fish Fry. Under the shade of oak trees on the grounds of the historic Mote-Morris House, candidates campaign and Fish Fry guests mingle, and make business connections. Or they just relax and enjoy a generous, and all-you-can-eat buffet of traditional Southern food (fried fish, steamed oysters, corn on the cob, collard greens, navy beans, hush puppies and corn bread).

Summer is time for a Fourth of July celebration, and in the fall, festival season returns with events like the annual Chili Cook-Off in late October, the Trick or Treat on Main Street Halloween Carnival, and the Fall Craft Festival in November.

The holidays are a special time for downtown Leesburg, with events like the “Lights of Lake” celebration, the Venetian Gardens Light Up on the banks of Lake Harris and the Leesburg Main Street Christmas Stroll and Christmas Parade. The Main Street Christmas House offers handcrafted holiday decorations and gifts for five weeks, and the Holiday Concert Series is held during the months of November and December at Towne Square.