HARLEY HOTSPOT: Freeport's Outpost beckons to bikers as ‘pillage the village' image fades

FREEPORT — Leather and chrome glistened in the sun at the Outpost as the band Newfangled Theory rolled out the rockin’ tunes for the Thunder Beach party seekers last week.

Located off the beaten path on 4576 Highway 3280, the Black Creek bar has become a regular run for bikers during the twice-yearly event hosted by the Panama City Beach Tourist Development Council.

“This is the place to be on Sunday for bike week,” said bar patron Tammy Woods. “All I see here is love and family; a place you are accepted for who you are, everybody feels welcome.”

Co-owner Mike McGinnis said it was a “great turnout.”

The crowd was a little smaller than last year, a fact McGinnis attributes to the event occurring a week later than in previous years. But he said it was "still real good."

McGinnis and Don Schollian took over ownership of the bar four years ago and have stayed with the "Black Creek Tradition.”

Even though the party Sunday got pretty raucous at times, McGinnis said the days of the “pillage the village” biker image are long gone.

To see more bike week photos at the Outpost, click here.

“The largest part of our clientele is military, retired/active duty/disabled, police and firefighters,” McGinnis said.

With a beautiful one-hour ride from Panama City or Fort Walton Beach, the watering hole is a natural for many of the area’s charity toy, poker and food runs.

Friday the Shriners stopped in and this Saturday, Oct. 9, the tavern is the second stop for the Thunder Angels' Tickle Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Poker Run.

This is the second year the Outpost Ladies Proshop Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit auxiliary, has been giving to the area, said McGinnis’ wife Jeannie.

The bar is also expecting an uptick in business on Oct. 20-23 as the Florida HOG Rally comes to town.

“We have been trying to help out in the community,” Jeannie said. “We’ve done things for the Freeport Middle and High schools, Freeport Fire station, American Legion, and helped families. We were even able to get a pallet of food donated to Alaqua (animal refuge) along with the bedding and toys…”   

Every Sunday an “awesome” band plays McGinnis said. “I personally screen the talent and they always play good southern rock.”

Part of the community, the bar prides itself on being “mutual grounds,” said McGinnis.

“One thing we don’t have here is fighting,” McGinnis said. “Anybody from any club can come and have a good time.”

The site also offers RV camping and boat launching.

“People tie up or drop their anchor and enjoy the music,” McGinnis said. “A lot of people launch their jet skis and kayaks; we are seeing more YOLO board’s launching too.”

One patron named Moe “loves it” so much she and her betrothed, Paul Dickerhoff, plan to have McGinnis marry them on the dance floor this Sunday at an auspicious time — 10:10 a.m. on 10/10/10.

As a public notary, McGinnis has married others, but recently he became ordained and can now visit folks in jail in an attempt to give them hope. The Dickerhoff wedding will be the first wedding that day with another planned for 10:10 p.m.

For anyone wishing to win a free Hog, McGinnis invites people to come out Oct. 16 when the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Club raffles of a custom built Harley Davison motorcycle.