Bike rally again draws crowd to downtown Brooksville Cruise-in supports locally produced agriculture

BY KIM DAME Spring Hill Beacon correspondent

Apr 25, 2018

BROOKSVILLE — Downtown’s historic streets presented a colorful panorama on the afternoon of April 21 during the second monthly Cruise-in and Bike Rally, to support locally grown and harvested agriculture in Hernando County.

Organized by the Hernando County Growers Association, a nonprofit group, and benefitting the Brooksville Farmers Market, the Cruise-in encompassed vendors, live music and a bike show to roughly 700 visitors. It was the second in eight planned for this year.

The Hernando County Growers Association formed as an agricultural co-op to “connect people with food,” said Michael DeFelice, one of the HCGA founders.

Live music was provided by the Clint Byron Band, a local country rock group. Sound was provided by R&B Sound Entertainment.

Each rally will present a different local act. The rallies provide financial support for the weekly Brooksville Farmers Market.

The event was sponsored by several local Brooksville businesses, including: the Lowman Law Firm, Coney Island Drive-in, Florida’s Cracker, New Sentry Services, River Ratz Cafe, Cliff’s Septic Tank, Red Mule Pub, Marker 48 Brewery, Van’s Cars & Trucks, Kevin’s The Way Station, Sail Inn, Dana’s Crossroads and Print Shack.

Other sponsors were: Scooter Goods Magazine, Great Bay Distributors, Town & Country Equipment, Prices Twin Services & Repair, Veterans 4 A Cause, Florida Bikers Helping Florida Bikers and Wildman Lucky Jewelry Collection.

The Brooksville Farmers Market is staged from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Sunday at the Florida Department of Health Hernando, 300 S. Main St., except this Sunday, April 29. Instead, the Brooksville Farmers Market will temporarily relocate in the Sun Trust parking lot for both Saturday and Sunday as part of the Brooksville Blueberry Festival.

For more information about the Hernando County Growers Association, visit their website at youcaring.com.