Inaugural Iron and Clematis Vintage Motorcycle Festival
Story by Paul Garson – Photos by Daniel Newcomb, Bobana Newcomb and Greg Ross
The West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority and Palm Beach Gardens-based Vintage Iron Club, along with the world-famous Ace Cafe London, are bringing one of the largest growing cultural movements to Palm Beach County – the Inaugural Iron and Clematis Vintage Motorcycle Festival — an event that promises to be one of the largest vintage motorcycle festivals held in Florida.
The family festival kicks off on Saturday, Feb 8th, from 2pm-9pm, on the closed down 500 block of Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach, and is for motorcycles and scooters 25 years or older. Festival organizers expect over 250 vintage bikes. There will be trophies awarded for best-in-show bikes, a vintage fashion show at sunset, stage lectures on the history of motorcycles and Cafe Racers, more than 25 national and local vendors displaying their goods, and live music from the Buckleheads, Morgan Bernard Band, Slip and the Spinouts, and The Riot Act. After parties at O’Sheas and Longboards will feature more live music. Admission is free for a full day of family fun, and parking is available nearby.
On Sunday, Feb 9th, Palm Beach International Raceway will host “Vintage Track Day Sunday“, with a full day of exciting moto activities. Bikes are encouraged to meet at O’Shea’s and Longboards in downtown West Palm Beach from 8-10 a.m. to head to the track where high speed pros will be on the course throughout the day, and vintage motorcycles will be allowed on the track for street speed-style parade laps and or Fast Track simulated racing. Over 25 local and national vendors will be on site, and the Ace Cafe Pavilion will be open all day with spectacular views of the track, food and beverages on sale, and the iconic Ace Cafe merchandise. Admission to Ace Cafe is free.
