KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — This year the 4th annual Fall Bike Celebration Weekend will offer a 7+ route cycling event, a kid’s Bike Rodeo, a Farmers Market Cycle-In! event, guided tours of the Vicksburg Historic Village, along with live and online presentations Friday, September 16 to Sunday September 18.
Event organizers say the weekend also aims to raises awareness of the need to bike safely as the hours of darkness increase during the fall and highlight attractions in and around the village of Vicksburg.
Three new events are planned for Friday September 16. The first 30 bicyclists to ride their bikes to the Vicksburg Farmers Market can receive a $5 coupon good for purchases at the Farmers Market.
Another new offering allows the public and area school groups to schedule guided tours of the Vicksburg Historic Village. That Friday afternoon a webinar will cover the City of Kalamazoo’s innovative Streets Design Manual, illustrating plans for how roadways and adjacent right-of-ways can accommodate non-motorists and motorists alike.
Also new this year, a free Bike Rodeo for children is planned for the morning of Saturday, September 17, courtesy of Vicksburg Community Schools, with the goal of teaching and encouraging kids to ride bikes safely on a closed course set up with fun and realistic educational challenges. The Rodeo will include a helmet check, a bike mechanical check, and a chance to have fun and exercise while learning rules of the road.
Saturday afternoon features two guided tours of the Vicksburg Historic Village, a bicycle mural exhibit at the Prairie Ronde Art Gallery and an Ice Cream Social at Apple Knockers Ice Cream Parlor for pre-registered riders.
On Sunday, September 18, the Fall Bike Celebration Bike Tour will offer routes that take cyclists back in time, starting and ending at the Vicksburg Historic Village while featuring views of Vicksburg Quilt Trail paintings. Cyclists can pick from scenic destinations all the way to Shipshewana, over Michigan’s longest covered bridge, along the Vicksburg Quilt Trail, visiting Scotts Mill Park, through the village of Climax, as well as more bite-sized family-friendly routes.
The weekend long event is organized by civic leaders, local charities and bike-related organizations.
The latest updates can be found at http://www.fallbikecelebration.org/schedule/
This year’s event will take place in the Village of Vicksburg.
