In Shelby, the official start of summer comes with the annual Shelby Bicycle Days festival at the beginning of July. This year, under new leadership, the festival received a bit of a makeover designed to refocus the celebration back on the bicycle.
“We have a really unique history with bicycles, which gives us a great opportunity to create a festival that stands out from other festivals in our area while remembering our heritage,” said Cody Albert, co-director of the festival along with Christina Thompson. “We have a lot of new and exciting events planned that I think people will really enjoy.”
After months of planning and receiving input from community members, it became clear to Albert and Thompson that many people agreed the focus of the festival should be on Shelby’s history with The Shelby Cycle Company. As a result, the festival will host five new events this year focused on the bike.
“Our hope is that we have created an event that incorporates the bike for every age,” said Albert.
Kicking off Shelby Bicycle Days on Thursday, July 10 is the new BMX Bike Safety Event starting at 6:30 p.m., presented by Ohio Mutual Insurance Group and Adams, Albert and Curry Agency. The free event will host a group of high-flying BMX stunt riders who will teach local students how to ride their bikes safely while performing stunts.
“We are excited to be creating an event that incorporates all students in the area,” said Albert. “They all need to know and understand how to ride their bikes safely this summer.”
On Friday, July 11 beginning at 6 p.m. is the new Spokes4Kids Community Challenge, presented by Richland Bank and Richland Young Professionals. For an entry fee of $125 that provides a bike for a child in need, the event brings community teams together to challenge each other in fun activities. Points will be earned for each game played, and tallied points will determine the top three teams who will be awarded prizes. Albert said the goal is to give away 25 bikes to children in need.
Saturday, July 12 brings about two new, fun events for kids. From 10 a.m. to noon the Kids’ Bike Clinic will allow kids to bring their bike to the festival to have it tuned up, get a properly fitted helmet and complete a skills course all thanks to a grant from The Shelby Foundation. Following the clinic, kids can participate in the Bike Decorating Contest with free supplies before parading their creation down Main Street in the Shelby Bicycle Days Parade starting at 2 p.m.
In addition, the entire weekend will host the new Historical Bike Walk, a walkable timeline along the storefronts of downtown Shelby that captures the history of the Shelby Cycle Company.
“We have assembled a large collection of bikes to be displayed, as well as created window graphics that will explain Shelby’s history with the bike,” explained Albert. “It’s exciting to know that downtown Shelby will again be filled with Shelby bikes and the many images from that era.”
Shelby Bicycle Days will conclude Saturday night with a festival staple, the annual fireworks display starting at 9:30 on Skiles Field. Albert noted OhioHealth MedCentral Shelby Hospital provided a great start to the fundraising efforts for this year’s fireworks display, as the show is funded solely by donations.
In his first year as a co-director of Shelby Bicycle Days, Albert said the planning of the festival has gone smoothly thanks to a strong team of core committee members who have helped plan many of the events taking place this year.
“The most rewarding part is always sitting back at the end of the festival during the fireworks and sharing a great moment with thousands of your fellow community members,” he said. “The long hours, countless meetings and headaches are always worth seeing your community come together to share in one particular moment.”
A full calendar of events and registration forms can be found on the official Shelby Bicycle Days website.
“It’s exciting to know that downtown Shelby will again be filled with Shelby bikes and the many images from that era,” said Cody Albert.
