The question on everyone’s mind as they arrived at Tropical Tattoo on US1 was, Is it or ain’t it? Was this the last of a run of extremely successful parties at Willie’s Tropical Tattoo Shop? Rumors had been rampant since Biketoberfest edition of the Old School Bike Show.

Judged once again by Willie’s creation, now super-star Roadside Marty who also handles the running of the mouth at the microphone, at which he is the master talker. Longtime crowd favorite music makers provided the backyard music. Booze was supplied by the Arni Foundation, activists in the no-kill animal shelter here in Daytona Beach. Luke made the barbecue, plus a couple of T-shirt vendors out back and The Horse Back Street Choppers magazine, now the title sponsor selling shirts out front along with the shop shirts.

This show is a loser for Willie! It costs Willie money, stress, and loss of income during the busiest time of the year, the 70th Annual Daytona Bikeweek. Willie pays for the Florida Highway Patrol Trooper stationed on the road divide to help people crossing busy US1, the security officers, and off-duty cops on the Tropical property. This year for the first time a cop helicopter cruised overhead to keep an eye from the sky.

The happening is and has been the number one event of both Daytona Bike Week and Biketoberfest. Free admission, free parking, and cheapest booze in Volusia County (two bucks or three for five cans of Bud) with all profits going to the Arni Foundation No-kill Animal Rescue organization. Dollar hot dogs, dollar water, cheap barbecue by Luke. Across the street is a Publix Supermarket, Subway, Sonic-Drive-In, and a great Chinese take-out. So the choice of food is extensive and cheap compared to other Daytona venues.

Willie pays the bandit for the live music in the backyard, pays to builds the bars, the prime business of Willie’s Tropical Tattoo suffers as clients for the shop are distracted and the tattoo shop looses out during the event. Maybe this explains why it is the best event in Daytona, because it comes from the heart without a profit motive. Of course the clingons try to attach their product or service to benefit from the events first-class reputation.

The show was the happening it has always been, bringing the crowds who enjoyed the partying, the bikes, the broads, and the booze at this Daytona tradition. Willie made the decision not to end this twice yearly party just yet and the next show is happening during Thursday of Biketoberfest in October 2011.