In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, two national motorcycle festivals are held over the weeks around the Memorial Day Holiday. One festival is primarily white; the other is predominately black. While bikers of both colors enjoy both festivals; the city, community, and state view these two festivals vastly different, creating a divide among the participants, business owners, and residents. Against the backdrop of the historical relevance of the areas segregated past, this documentary explores the opposing viewpoints on segregation and integration, mutual love of motorcycle culture and racial tensions that reach a boiling point every spring in this southern beach mecca. Black Bike Week was born in Atlantic Beach and this film will examine the history of this area: its growth under segregation and the subsequent decline as integration led to the flight of money and investment away from the area and why, even today, the area sees no revenue from hosting one of the largest bike festivals in the country. Meanwhile, the adjoining city of Myrtle Beach benefits economically during Black Bike Week yet they shun the event as its reluctant host, imposing stricter rules and harsh penalties as compared to White Bike Week the week before.
Directed by | Ricky Kelly |
Written by | Ricky Kelly |