Ormond Beach, FL - Ormond Beach City Commissioners are saying yes to outdoor events for Biketoberfest next month. Zone One Commissioner Dwight Selby says they got great input from businesses primarily in the north U.S. 1 corridor, including Destination Daytona and Rossmeyer Harley-Davidson. He said that they are saying they can do this safely, within CDC guidelines and ample safety precautions.
Selby said outdoor events spread the crowd and encourage them to be outdoors. "Just the idea of outside exhibitors disperses the people more and to keep moving versus congregating indoors, in various businesses. So, overall, we perceive it to be a good thing."
When asked how the CDC guidelines can be enforced at an event like Biketoberfest, Selby said that members of neighborhood improvement groups and public safety employees will be surveying the events. "We trust the businesses, that they're going to do the right thing and that they are going to do what they say they're going to do. You know, it's a weekend event and it's not only good for the businesses, but it's good for all the people that work in the businesses."
Selby that the Commission is trying to help the small businesses in the city, many of which depend on the income they make during events like Biketoberfest. Every business in the supply chain can be helped by having the event go on. Selby gave an example of a t-shirt company in Ormond Beach that has about 50 employees. He said they are having the worst year in 20 years need Biketoberfest to help their finances.
As for the Daytona Beach City Commission, six out of seven decided not to approve the permits and exceptions to rules that have been in place for 28 years. Selby says there are differences between Ormond Beach and Daytona Beach. He says that Daytona's primary area on Main Street is a very compact area with a lot of activities overflowing onto public property. He says in Ormond Beach, no special events are being permitted on public property and that the circumstances are different.
