Key West is a town that just can’t seem to put its decorations and costumes away. Wesley House Family Services’ Annual Holiday Village and BeLighted Bike Ride is a great way to get into the season. A starting line comprising a “village” out at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater in Truman Waterfront sees costumed riders take to Whitehead and Duval Streets for one of the most colorful displays all year.
The Holiday Village serves as a ticketed family-friendly pre-party on Dec. 5 to the BeLighted Bike Ride. On site are carnival rides, live music performances, food vendors, a “snow storm,” pony rides, and of course, photos with Santa.
In hosting this, Wesley House, which provides support, education, and foster care in Monroe County and South Miami-Dade, aims to make this experience a true little holiday village for families.
The main bike ride, just outside the village with an 8 p.m. start, sees swarms of lighted participants who are encouraged to transform their self-powered modes of transportation with festive designs. The route takes riders through Whitehead and the main strip, Duval Street. It concludes at the Hank’s Hair of the Dog Saloon official after-party.
The goal of the event is more about wow-ing attendees with great memories of the Florida Keys. The event is viewed more as a gift to the community. Sponsors like Hank’s and Mount Sinai Medical Center among many others offset expenses while the large number of participants is relied upon to drive sales. Last year saw around 2,000 people inside the Holiday Village and as much as 3,000 in the bike parade. Although a ticket is not required to participate in the actual ride, Wesley House appreciates people making a donation instead.
The spectacle of it all attracts creatives who often participate in Key West’s many other festivals. Grace Epperly, the development coordinator at Wesley House, thought entrants really stepped it up with the designs and pageantry last year.
“I was impressed with how many people really got into the costume aspect of it. I thought it was really just going to be more about decorating the bikes,” Epperly said of the participants.
She is increasingly seeing more groups of friends get together to do a whole theme. One example included a customized four-seater “bike” featuring dressed up presents and a live Christmas tree above the riders.
And a couple of years ago, when the event featured a “best bike” contest, one man created a lit-up rooster on his bike that was made almost entirely out of palm fronds.
The BeLighted Bike Ride ultimately remains open to all: families, couples, neighbors, singles dressed as Christmas presents, and groups of friends. Regardless of whether you are attending as a bicyclist, visiting the village, or spectating on Duval, Epperly encourages all to show up.
“Just line the streets of Whitehead and Duval to cheer everybody on because it’s a lot of fun.”
Holiday Village & BeLighted Bike Ride
DECEMBER 5 | 5-9 PM
