KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – This year marks the third annual Fall Bike Celebration Weekend, and several activities are being touted.
The festivities this year will include bicycling, an outdoor live concert and results of the 2021 Public Bike Art Competition.
Officials say there will be several live and online presentations available, all of which take place from September 17-19.
The weekend highlights attractions in and around the village of Vicksburg, MI and southwest Michigan.
Schedule of Events –
On Friday, September 17, the public is encouraged to ride their bicycles to two expertly led disc golf clinics, the Vicksburg Historic Village and the Farmers Market.
That afternoon, a webinar will present lessons learned about “Increasing Safe Passing of Bicyclists” gained through “how-to” research conducted in Michigan and Tennessee.
On the morning of Saturday, September 18, the Ride For A Reason: Multi-Charity Bikeathon will give supporters of more than a dozen charities a chance to ride and walk to raise funds for a variety of programs in southwest Michigan.
This outdoor event will help make up for donations lost during the pandemic, starting and ending at the Vicksburg Pavilion.
On Saturday afternoon, live and virtual presentations will be held. They will cover topics such as the Vicksburg Quilt Trail paintings, as well as progress on the Mill at Vicksburg entertainment and hotel complex.
On Saturday night, an open-air Live Benefit Concert features the rock, blues, country, folk and bluegrass band “AMP” performing in the Vicksburg Pavilion, with gates opening at 6:15 p.m.
Results of Bike Friendly Kalamazoo’s Public Bike Art Competition will be announced at the concert, which features $1,750 in cash awards.
On Sunday, September 18, the event’s namesake Fall Bike Celebration Bike Tour features views of the Vicksburg Quilt Trail paintings.
Cyclists will ride to scenic destinations such as Scotts Mill Park, Climax, over the longest covered bridge in Michigan and as far as Shipshewana and back.
The Bike Tour starts and ends at the restored Vicksburg Historic Village.
“Vicksburg welcomes bicyclists and everyone to enjoy the Fall Bike Celebration,” former Vicksburg Village President and honorary event Co-Chair Bill Adams said in a statement. “We are grateful for the support of the Vicksburg Foundation, generous sponsors, and wonderful in-kind supporters who make this fantastic fall bicycle festival possible.”
The weekend long event is organized by cyclists, civic leaders and local charities. The vent offers plenty of reasons to ride, showcases local amenities, and raises awareness about public safety.
Some activities are free, some require waivers and some may require children to be accompanied by an adult. The latest updates can be found at the Fall Bike Celebration schedule page.
“This year we will employ safety and public health measures that worked in 2020 — plus now, vaccines are working in our favor,” Bike Friendly Kalamazoo President Paul Selden said in a statement. “We welcome everyone to enjoy the Fall Bike Celebration at any level — in person or virtual.”
For full details, see www.fallbikecelebration.org.
Flyers of the event can be viewed below:
Fall Bike Celebration 2021. (Photo courtesy Bike Friendly Kalamazoo).
Fall Bike Celebration 2021. (Photo courtesy Bike Friendly Kalamazoo).
Fall Bike Celebration 2021. (Photo courtesy Bike Friendly Kalamazoo).
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