Spyder sport many colors and graphics to express the owners' personalities.
Video update added…
From April 27 to May 1, the Spyders are taking over Cuba, Missouri. Just as a refresher, a Spyder is a three wheeled cycle with two wheels in the front and one in the back. The style provides more stability than the traditional two wheeled bike and a whole lot of fun .
SpyderfestUS is when hundreds of Spyder riders get together to bond, compare bikes, check out new merchandise, raise some money for charity, have some fun, and, best of all, gun those spyders all over the countryside.
The local enthusiast behind last year’s Spyderfest was Len Damouth of Cowtown USA in Cuba. Last year’s gathering was so much fun that the attendees immediately began talking about Sypderfest II. Damouth, backed by Cowtown and its staff, is also heavily involved in the planning for this year’s event, and leaders in the spyder community have been meeting for months and made many trips to Cuba to make sure that everyone has a tremendous time this year.
Even FOX Channel 2 News is getting excited about Cuba’s Spyderfest 2011. Check their interview with Len Damouth of Cowtown USA, the force behind Spyderfest.
During this year’s event, Spyderfest attendees will fill the motels, area restaurants, and shops as they celebrate their sypder community. It is hoped that the Cuba community will show its friendliness to our visitors and welcome them to town. They are a great group of people and part of their activities will raise money for Cuba’s Friday Backpack for Kids program.
Last year a spyders lined Smith Street as they dined at Frisco's.
An overview of Spyderfest events are as follows:
Wednesday, April 27
On Wed. registration at Cowtown opens at 8:30. Vendors and group organizers will be checking into area motels and set up at the Vendor Village at Hood Park.
Wed. evening will be a meet and greet with vendors at Recklein Auditorium, and all Spyderfest attendees are welcome. There will be a catered buffet dinner.
Thursday, April 28
Thursday at 9:00 am is the official opening and registration continues.
“Passport maps” are issued. This is an individual or small group game that gets riders out to see Cuba, and it involves 10 stops at area locations where riders will get their “passports” stamped. The game continues through out Spyderfest, and the winner gets a custom paint job from Farris Customs, a local vendor.
During the day, short group rides will take place.
In 2010, Spyders made the pilgrimage to our Route 66 attraction.
The Vendor Village on the grounds of Hood Park opens on Thursday with vendors from all over showcasing the latest merchandise for the Spyder riders.
At 4:30 on Thursday, there will be a meet and greet at the Wagon Wheel Motel. A bonfire, BBQ, field games, live band, and Chili Cook-off insure a good time for the Spyder riders. The Cook-off will be a fundraiser for a local charity. The Wagon Wheel Motel, oldest continuously operating motel on Route 66, finished its renovations just in time to host the Spyders at this event.
Friday, April 29
Friday starts with a pancake cook-off hosted by the Mo Gang and various vendors and VIPs. This will held at the Cowtown tent at Hood Park’s Vendor Village.
On Friday beginning at 9:30 group rides throughout the Ozark countryside begin. Some choices are the following:
Ladies ride to the Lake of the Ozark’s shopping mall. There will also be van transportation for those not riding. Other choices are the Circle around the Fort, with stops at “Frog Rock” and the Rubidoux Spring in Waynesville, a ride to the Devil’s Elbow Bridge, a ride to Elephant Rock, a ride to Meramec Caverns, or a trip through Missouri Wine Country with a stop in Herman.
Evening meals will be at area restaurants.
In the evening, there will be an after party at Cuba Lakes Golf Course with a live band and a “Sypders on the Green” riding game, which will raise money for the local Cuba Friday Backpack for Kids program.
Ike, a member of the Oak Ridge Boys band, has donated a limited edition, signed guitar to be raffled off at the Spyders on the Green event. The money will benefit the Backpack program. If you are a fan or a guitar collector, you might want to get in on this raffle.
Ike posed for a photo with some of his Cuba friends last year during Spyderfest.
Saturday, May 30
After a full day on Friday, the riders can take it easy and sleep in on Saturday morning. At 11:00 a BBQ starts at Cow Town USA with demo rides and door prizes.
At 1:30 a Route 66 group ride begins and ends at the Wagon Wheel Motel.
The spyders and Route 66 are a winning combination.
Then, the group plans a Spyders on Parade through Cuba to the Recklein Auditorium, where they will have a gathering at 6:00 to award prizes, listen to speakers, enjoy a bike show, and feast on a buffet dinner.
Bring your cameras to capture the Spyders on Parade.
At 9:00 pm, there will be an “after dark” guided tour of the murals by Viva Cuba . At 10:00 pm a “Salute to Veterans” ceremony at the Veterans Memorial takes place. Last year, this was a popular event as the Spyder veterans were singled out. Local veterans and their supporters are also invited to attend.
Last year's Veterans Ceremony singled out the Spyder veterans in the group.
Sunday, May 1
The group breakfasts at Cuba Lakes Golf Club at 8:30. The groups itinerary says that there will be “crying, hugging, hand-shaking, and happy farewells to friends…until next year.”
So roll out the red carpet, break out the welcome signs, and get ready to greet SpyderfestUS riders. We’re honored that they have chosen Cuba, Missouri for their destination. And what happens in Cuba….
This is just one example of the fun in 2010 that brought the Spyders back for more good times in 2011.
All photos compliments of Orange Boots
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