Buffalo Rising Online

May 16th 2006, 12:28pm By buffalorising

What has become a weekly summer tradition in downtown Buffalo over the last three years for bikers, event goers and bar patrons alike, the Crocodile Baris is set to kick-start the 4th Annual Blues, Bikes & BBQ series. This year the series will run every Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. beginning May 17, 2006 with the grand finale on Wednesday September 27th, 2006.

To commemorate the beginning of the series, State Senator Marc Coppola and Assemblyman Sam Hoyt will officially Kick-Start the festivities off in real Harley style at 7:45 p.m. with both of them ceremonially starting motorcycles. The elected officials will be joined by both current and alumni Buffalo Bills and Sabres and the Buffalo Jills. In addition, the Crocodile Bar has arranged for an authentic 1947 Jack Daniels delivery truck to drop-off a specially selected barrel of the world famous whiskey and for Jimmy Bedford, master distiller, Jack Daniels, to call into the live 97 Rock broadcast that is being held at the Crocodile Bar. Bedford is calling from his office at Jack Daniels distilling facilities in Lynchburg, Tennessee.

Over the past three years, bikers from as far as Toronto, Ontario and Syracuse, NY have converged onto downtown Buffalo to attend this weekly summer promotion, and in turn, transforming Chippewa Street into a mini Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, by lining the entire street with custom designed bikes and drawing large festive crowds. More than 100O party goers attended the Crocodile Baris weekly Blues, Bikes & BBQ every Wednesday to marvel over the 500 plus motorcycles that visit each week. Each week the event offers prizes, such as custom leather jackets, Dunlop motorcycle tires and even an all inclusive trip to Daytona, FL for the famous Biketoberfest Bike Week for various competitions that include best custom motorcycle, best chrome job and even a chicken wing eating contest.

One of the most sought after prizeis each evening is one of the 200 keys that could start the 2006 Harley Davidson Street Bob motorcycle, which are given away over the 20 weeks the promotion runs; ten every Wednesday. The lucky owner of the key that starts the 2006 Harley Davidson on Wednesday September 27th, the final night of Blues, Bikes and BBQ, will be able to ride it home.

Blues, Bikes and BBQ also features various live bands during the summer. Performing this summer will be famous local Blues acts with a few national surprises to be announced at a later date. iThis event has been a great addition to downtown Buffalo over the past three years, adding to the already great events that that make up Buffalois summer festival season,i Marc Alfieri, co-owner of the Crocodile Bar, said. iWe are very excited for the start of Blues, Bikes and BBQ, this year promises to be the best ever.i New this year at the event series is on-site piercing station, compliments of Stylini Tattoo; also watch for our biker leather fashion show, compliments of Kimberlyis Intimate Apparel.

Besides attracting bikers from far and wide, the weekly event has gained national attention in numerous bar and motorcycle trade magazines, shining a bright iheadi light on Buffalo. iThis event is quickly becoming a true Buffalo tradition, and summer in downtown would not be the same with out it,i added Alfieri. iThe best part of Blues, Bikes and BBQ is itis not just for motorcycle enthusiasts, any given Wednesday you can find a very diverse crowed ranging from stroller-pushing families to young professionals to leather clad bikers, and they all have a great time together!i Crocodile Bar, established in 1997, has distinguished itself as one of the best bars in all of Western New York. Located at 88 West Chippewa, Buffalo, NY, the bar features live entertainment, first class service and an unparalleled social scene. Consistently voted Buffalois Best Party Bar by local industry insiders, the Crocodile Bar has become a true Buffalo icon.

Blues, Bikes & BBQ is presented by the Crocodile Bar and is made possible by the following sponsors: 97 Rock, Jack Danielis , Budweiser, Gabeis Collision, Basil Ford, Buffalo Harley Davidson, Kantor & Godwin motorcycle attorneyis, Club Chit Chat, Mills Welding Supply, Kimberlyis Intimate Apparel, Stylini Tattoo, Travel USA, Hard Tales Magazine, Dunlop Tires, and Jimis SteakOut.