SHELBY — The singing sisters of Sorellé and a mechanical bull are among several new entertainment additions featured in this year’s Shelby Bicycle Days festival.
The trio of Lexington natives, 4th-place finishers on season 23 of NBC’s “The Voice,” will perform Friday at the Black Fork Commons Amphitheater at 8:30 p.m.
Katlyn Niese, Bicycle Days 2024 co-chair, said she’s excited to include the talented local sisters in this year’s festival.
“It’s going to be really awesome and we hope it brings a lot of people downtown to enjoy the music and bring it all together,” she said.
Another new addition to this year’s festival is an inflatable mechanical bull.
Niese said the festival’s committee listened to feedback about expanding the types of inflatables available to older audiences during Bicycle Days.
“People like adults and teenagers, they can enjoy it (inflatable bull) a little more,” she said.
“We want to make the festival fun for all ages. We’re really trying our best,” Niese said.
Make your way to the main midway Friday at 11 a.m.
Shelby Bicycle Days 2024 kicks off with the opening of the main midway Friday at 11 a.m.
The midway, open until 10 p.m., includes a variety of food trucks and non-food vendors, as well as marquee letters. New to this year’s festival, the lit-up letters provide an opportunity for selfies or group photos at the end of the main midway.
Shelby Rotary Club members will have a chance to grab lunch from festival vendors at noon.
As events begin Friday, the kids can begin filling out their Kids’ Passport for a chance to win a Target gift card. Children participating must complete at least three of six kids’ activities throughout the two-day festival to be entered in the drawing.
A dance performance from The Melody Within will take place at the Black Fork Commons Amphitheater at 3 p.m. Friday. Michael Mage the Magician will follow at 4:30 p.m.
Inflatables will be available at Black Fork Commons from 5 to 11 p.m. Nearby at the parking lot along the former Skiles Field, children can explore a variety of safety service vehicles at 6 p.m. during the community touch-a-truck event.
Festival attendees can learn about Shelby bicycles during the Shelby Bicycle Museum’s open house Friday from 6 to 9 p.m.
Niese said 2024 marks the 99th anniversary of the Shelby Cycle Company.
Experts will be available at the Shelby Justice Center, 31 Mack Ave., to answer questions and provide guided tours.
Live music performed by Sorellé at 8:30 p.m. will end the festival’s opening night in the Black Fork Commons Amphitheater.
Bike tour kicks-off festival’s second day
Saturday’s activities begin with the 12th annual Lindy Flyer Community Bike Tour at 8:30 a.m. Participants can join the on-going event anytime before 1:30 p.m.
The free tour offers four loop routes through the historical community and surrounding farmlands. Event and route information can be downloaded online.
Tours of the Shelby Bicycle Museum resume from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Shelby Justice Center.
The main midway will be open to festival goers from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, as well as the marquee letters from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Inflatables, including a mechanical bull, will be available from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Black Fork Commons.
Saturday includes several bike-centered activities
A kids’ bike clinic and bike decorating contest are both set for 11 a.m. Saturday at the Seltzer Park tennis courts, located near the intersection of Mansfield Avenue and Parkwood Drive.
Kristen Wasilewski, Bicycle Days 2024 co-chair, said this year’s festival will also include a chance for kids to register their bike, similar to a car registration.
Sponsored by the Shelby Fraternal Order of Police, a database system will be created with the help of the Shelby Police Department.
“Bikes get lost, bikes get taken, so there’s something to back that up now, to hopefully eliminate that stress for kids and families,” Wasilewski said.
The annual Bicycle Days parade, which travels along Main Street and Gamble Street, will begin at 2 p.m.
Following the parade will be the Whiz Bang Science Show, new to this year’s festival, in the Black Fork Commons amphitheater. Additionally, Shelby Help Line’s pie auction begins after the parade at the Central Park Gazebo.
A kids’ minispokes challenge will be available for children to compete in at 5 p.m. on the green space formerly home to Skiles Field.
Live music in the amphitheater at 7:30 p.m. will lead into Saturday night’s grand finale — a fireworks display on Skiles Lawn, which will begin around dark.
This year’s display is sponsored by ArcelorMittal and Shelby Fraternal Order of Eagles #763.
The full list of 2024 Shelby Bicycle Days events and sponsors can also be found on the Shelby CIC website.
Phase two of voting for the Kiddie King and Queen contest runs July 7 until July 11 at 6 p.m. via Facebook.
Wasilewski, Niese thankful for community support
Wasilewski said the Bicycle Days Committee seeks to build on the festival’s success each year, while looking for new ways to entertain.
“We appreciate that feedback and we appreciate the people that are willing to help in the planning process,” she said. “It’s not just a couple brains, it’s a team of brains.
“We’re just thankful for the support of our community… for our businesses and partnerships because without them, we wouldn’t be able to have the great events that we have,” Wasilewski said.
