Tour de Fat – Denver

New Belgium Brewing’s cycling circus, Tour de Fat, is coming back to town for one day on Saturday, September 8 at City Park. Tour de Fat rookies and veterans alike are encouraged to grab a bike and join us for a whimsical day of entertainment and two-wheeled revelry, all while raising money for Bike Denver and Denver Cruisers. For those who haven’t experienced Tour de Fat, it is a thrilling rite of passage that includes an unparalleled costumed bicycle parade, New Belgium beer, eccentric entertainment, local food, unusual bike contests and much more. The free event, which raises money for local nonprofits through beer and merchandise purchases, just exceeded the $2 million mark for total funds raised since its inception 13 years ago. Last year’s Denver Tour de Fat festival raised more than $67,000 and had about 10,000 attendees.
“As if riding in the most colorful bike parade known to mankind isn’t enough, our entertainment this year will make your heads pop off like dandelions,” said Matt Kowal, Tour De Fat Impresario. “So put together a snazzy costume, hop on your bike and enjoy a day in the park. You won’t be disappointed!”

Date:
Saturday, September 8

Parade Registration:
9:00 a.m.

Ride Times:
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Entertainment:
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Location:
City Park – West Side

Benefitting:
Bike Denver – http://www.bikedenver.org
The Denver Cruisers – http://www.denvercruisers.com

Performances By:
Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds – http://www.sistersparrow.com/
The Cleverlys – http://thecleverlys.com/
Yo-Yo People – http://www.yoyoshow.com
Sssnakenstein – http://www.snakenstein.com
On the Grotto Stage:
That One Guy – http://www.that1guy.com
The Otone Brass Band – http://www.thoughtinto.com/otones
Paper Bird – http://www.paperbirdband.com
A. Tom Collins – https://www.facebook.com/atom.collins.1
Price:
Admission – Free
Parade – Suggested donation of $5 or more
Beer – $5 for a 16 oz. pour
A few tidbits about Tour de Fat:

• Start sewing, collecting and dreaming up something to wear as Tour de Fat encourages embracing your inner costume-loving self. Come dressed up to help put on the most colorful, respectful and creative bike parade ever witnessed.
• Tour de Fat seeks to leave as small an environmental imprint as possible and composts and recycles waste. Bring only what you need and watch for proper receptacles. We’ll do the rest!
• All performers grab your attention from alternatively empowered stages decked out in recycled materials; trucks and transport use biofuel sourced from recycled waste oils; and all vendors operate off the grid.

• This is a pro-bike celebration, not an anti-car rally. Non-cyclists are more than welcome to join the festivities.
In 2011, Tour de Fat traveled to 13 cities, attracting a total of 69,550 festival attendees and 41,150 parade cyclists. It also raised $401,563 and boasted an impressive 90 percent diversion of waste from landfills.

The pinnacle of Tour de Fat is the ceremonious car-for-bike swap. In each of the 15 cities, one person will become the center of the show as he or she gets up on stage, hands over their car keys, and pledges to live one year car-free. Tour de Fat is now seeking a volunteer in the Denver area to accept the swapper challenge. Each car-for-bike swapper will choose a local bike shop to help turn a $2,250 budget into an ultimate car-replacement commuter bike. Vehicles for Charity will auction the cars, with proceeds benefitting local cycling organizations.