Leesburg commissioners on Monday will consider a proposal for hosting BikeFest 2024.
The city ended an arrangement in September with the Leesburg Partnership which had handled several annual festivals including BikeFest for several years. The commissioners had approved the creation of a special events division at the Aug. 28 meeting as the revenue from recent BikeFest and other special events has declined in recent years.
Revenue from BikeFest was adversely affected by the COVID-19 epidemic with the cancelation of the 2020 event.
Commissioners will consider managing two stages and upgrading entertainment as well as condensing the event footprint. In past years the festival has had Southern rock bands such as Molly Hatchet on the main stage as well as the west coast sounds of Buckcherry in March of this year.
The main stage area under consideration will be on Main Street between South Sixth Street and South Fifth Street.
The cost to the city is estimated to be $520,000. Staff has projected that sponsorship and vender registration fees as well as beverage and novelties should cover the city’s BikeFest expenditures.
The commission will meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday at Leesburg City Hall.
