HallowheelsAnnual Rotary event offers music, motorcycles and more
By SEAN FLACK
Motorcycles, hotrods, and rock ‘n’ roll aren’t necessarily the first things that come to mind when one thinks of Halloween. However, that could all change Saturday, Oct. 3, at 3 p.m. when the Rotary clubs of Cape Coral Goldcoast, North Fort Myers, and Cape Coral Sunset hold the second annual Hallowheels event at Sun Splash Family Waterpark in Cape Coral.
Hallowheels is an event that promises something for almost anyone. From impressive motorcycle and hotrod displays to numerous merchandise and food vendors, this year’s event promises to be bigger and better than the last. There also will be four live music performances that start at 4 p.m. Blackfoot, Maiden Cane, and Swamp da Wamp will serve as the opening acts. Headlining the event will be blues-rock group, Pat Travers Band.
“We’re very excited. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in the area. The cool thing is my daughter moved down (to Cape Coral) a month or so ago, so we’ll get to see her,” said Pat Travers, vocalist and guitarist for Pat Travers Band.
Another notable part of the event is the Halloween costume contest. The first place prize is $500. Second and third place prizes are $300 and $200 respectively. Unlike traditional costume contests where participants simply stand on a stage, this one will require participants to walk around the event and try to get as many people as they can to vote for them. There will also be a Best in Show prize of $500 that will be decided on by members of Terror on 20th, a local haunted house.
“There are no rules. No limit to people to enter. It doesn’t cost anything. Assuming someone won first place and Best in Show, they could walk out that night with $1,000,” said Mike Fahnlander, organizer of the event.
Despite a promising idea, getting Hallowheels off the ground wasn’t easy at first. Two years ago, North Fort Myers Rotary club decided they needed a different kind of fundraiser after losing some of its resources. It was then that Fahnlander came up with the idea of Hallowheels. After hearing that some of their bike night events were taken away, Fahnlander soon contacted Cape Coral Sunset and Cape Coral Goldcoast Rotary clubs and asked if they’d be interested in joining forces.
“It was hard to get it up and running. No one wanted to get involved. We managed to get enough money and vendors to do it, though, and it ended up having a big success. We had to turn people away,” said Fahnlander.
The days of turning people away are long gone for Fahnlander. Thanks to the success of the first year, Cape Coral invited them to use Sun Splash Family Waterpark, which allowed for a much bigger venue and more parking. Last year’s attendance was in the thousands but Fahnlander is hoping to hit the 5,000 to 6,000 mark for this year.
“It’s been incredible. The phone doesn’t stop ringing. People talk to me on Facebook. It’s been all over,” said Fahnlander.
All profit from the event will be going to charity. The main portion will go to Meals of Hope to help package and deliver meals to those in need. The remainder will support local and international giving programs for the Rotary clubs.
Tickets for the event can be purchased at the gate for $15 per person. Parking is included in admission. Sun Splash is at 400 Santa Barbara Blvd. in Cape Coral. For more information, call 239-322-3999 or visit: HallowheelsEvent.com.