SHELBY – Two fresh faces are at the helm of Shelby’s annual Bicycle Days festival this year.
Patricia Del Greco and Tina Eldridge, associates at OhioHealth and involved community members, are preparing for their first Shelby Bicycle Days as co-directors when the festival kicks off on Thursday, July 13.
While they may be new to the director’s chair, Del Greco and Eldridge are no stranger to the festival, a yearly tradition celebrating Shelby’s mark in history with the Shelby Bicycle.
“I’ve been attending my whole life, I’m a lifelong Shelby resident,” Eldridge said. “Last year was the first year that we started helping with the committee; we did a lot of observation and we really learned about the behind-the-scenes work.”
The two women were passed the baton of leadership by fellow OhioHealth associate and lifelong Shelby resident Cody Albert, who chaired Shelby Bicycle Days for the past three years. The transition has been flawless thanks to a team of festival volunteers, said Del Greco.
“There are a lot of very dedicated people to this festival,” she said. “It was pretty comfortable because we do have such a great team, and each team has their segment. That made us feel very supported.”
“Any time there’s a question someone is willing to jump in and help figure it out,” added Eldridge.
A few days away from the opening of their first festival as directors, Del Greco and Eldridge are excited but keeping an eye on the weather, as the weekend forecast calls for rain. The festival officially kicks off on Thursday at 4 p.m. with the opening of the midway.
Thursday’s activities begin with a brand-new activity, a Kids’ MiniSpokes Activity Zone starting at 5:30 at W.W. Skiles Field. The activity zone, created by fellow OhioHealth associate and Shelby resident Felicia Kreinbrink, mirrors the corporate Spokes4Kids Community Challenge taking place on Friday.
“It tails off the Friday night corporate challenge, but it’s for smaller kids, and it’s free,” Eldridge said. “(Kreinbrink) has some physical and mental challenges planned.”
Following MiniSpokes is the popular Kids’ Safety Spot, bringing in law enforcement, fire department and safety vehicles from Shelby and Richland County. The event allows kids to get up close and personal with public safety personnel.
The Spokes4Kids Community Challenge, presented by Richland Bank and Richland Young Professionals, will also go through a change of leadership next year. Organizer Nikki Lewis will pass her duties on to Ashley Meyer and Holly Draper, both of Richland Bank.
“We’re also adding Colton Penwell as emcee,” said Lewis. “We noticed last year since we moved to the football field we have a P.A. system, so Colton has graciously taken on the roll of emcee, telling the crowd about the teams and the events.”
The Spokes4Kids Community Challenge begins at 6 p.m. on Friday. As always, the 15 teams won’t know what’s coming to them until the day of the challenge.
“Every year we change the games slightly because we don’t want anyone to know what’s going on,” Lewis said. “We keep it very secretive so nobody has an advantage.”
Following the Spokes4Kids event on Friday night will be the Bike-in Movie Theatre, featuring the movie “Sing.”
“We moved the movie to Friday night because we found from feedback in the community that they loved it, but since it was on a Thursday parents were struggling to get there with their children,” explained Del Greco.
Both Del Greco and Eldridge were most excited for Saturday’s family-fun events: a bike decorating contest at Grand Boulevard at noon, the 26th annual Shelby Bicycle Days Parade at 2 p.m. and Shelby’s famous fireworks display at dusk.
“I think what makes the fireworks unique in Shelby is the music that’s played at the football field,” Eldridge said. “As the crowd is assembling we have Chase Beaire playing, and then The Jimmy Warner Band during the fireworks.”
Other community events throughout the weekend include the Shelby Help-Line Ministries Pie Auction following the parade on Saturday, and a Downtown History Walk led by Christina Drain on Thursday at 7 p.m. featuring historical Shelby bicycles.
“We have new window clings so if people can’t make it to one of the guided walks, they can do a self-walk through town and read through the history of the Shelby Bicycle,” Eldridge said. “The amount of bikes on display this year is pretty phenomenal, there’s over 50, and some of the restoration work people put into those bikes is unreal.”
The excitement leading up to the festival continues to build over months of planning for Del Greco and Eldridge, and is only matched by the enthusiasm of Shelby residents.
“The community itself really loves this festival,” Del Greco said. “It’s packed full of free, family events, and it’s a really good time. Honestly you could spend your whole weekend down here and have something to do.”
For more information about the Shelby Bicycle Days festival, visit shelbybicycledays.com.
