SHELBY – Armored combat, axe-throwing, inflatables and an all-day beer garden. What better way to celebrate the history of bicycles and the semiquincentennial anniversary of the United States than that?
Bicycle Days, Shelby’s annual community festival, celebrates the city’s rich history as a major 20th-century bicycle manufacturing hub. It takes place the week after the Fourth of July, with this year’s being the country’s 250th birthday.
Mayor Steve Schag said Bicycle Days attendees can expect an even more patriotic event than in past years. Regulars are used to the red, white and blue that informally themes the parade and festivities. But with America 250, a noteworthy increase is planned.
Shelby has partnered with Shelby Middle School, allowing one of the school’s students to design an America 250 shirt available for purchase on the Bicycle Days website.
Additionally, Shelby received a grant from the Metropolitan Planning Organization for three 26-inch bikes it will give away during festivities, for the first time.
Event-goers looking to win a bike will be given instructions at the information desk, with more instructions to come.
A major goal, Bicycle Days event coordinator Lauren Browning said, is getting teens and tweens more involved. New events like axe-throwing and two armored combat displays hope to capture that audience.
“We’ve done an incredible job putting together an event everyone will be happy with,” Browning said.
A kids’ zone, complete with inflatables, also makes its Midway debut. A beer garden at VFW Post 291, right next door, is for the adults.
“When a family comes down, you’re looking for something that fits everyone,” Browning said. “We’re always trying to figure out ways that we can get everyone involved.”
Events will kick off July 9, with all-day festivities July 10 and 11, including the staple Shelby Bicycle Days parade.
Thursday, July 9 🗓️
Beer Garden: VFW Post 291
- Where: 34 W. Main St.
- When: 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Spokes and Floats: “History of the Shelby Bicycle.”
- Where: Marvin Memorial Library, 29 W. Whitney Ave.
- When: 6 p.m.
Friday, July 10 🗓️
Rotary Community Lunch: The Rotary Club of Shelby enjoys lunch from festival vendors.
- Where: Black Fork Commons’ OhioHealth Pavilion, 12 W. Main St.
- When: Noon.
Main Midway: Food Trucks and Non-Food Vendors.
- Where: Black Fork Commons Plaza
- When: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Midway Marquee Letters: Snap a selfie or take a group photo with the light up marquee letters at the end of the Main Midway.
- Where: Black Forks Commons
- When: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Ax Throwing:
- Where: Black Fork Commons
- When: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Kids’ Passport Contest: Complete three of six Bicycle Days events for a chance to win a 20-inch bike or Target gift card.
- Where: Black Fork Commons
- When: All day Friday and Saturday
Kids’ Bicycle Registration: Kids may register their bike with the Shelby Police Department so that in the event it is stolen, it can be tracked and returned to its owner.
- Where: Black Fork Commons
- When: All day Friday and Saturday
Balloon Artist: Stop by for fun, colorful balloon creations.
- Where: Black Fork Commons
- When: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Midway DJ: Enjoy music along the midway.
- Where: Black Fork Commons
- When: 3 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Dunk Tank:
- Where: Black Fork Commons
- When: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Kids’ Zone: Wristband Required
- Where: Shelby Veterans Memorial Event Center, 32 W Main Street
- When: Noon to 8 p.m.
Beer Garden: VFW Post 291
- Where: 34 W. Main St.
- When: 1 p.m. to 1 a.m.
The Jones Clones Plus Jake: Enjoy a multi‑generation band playing originals and modern rock covers from the 1960s to today, formed from members of Duff and The Red Bozoz.
- Where: Black Fork Commons Amphitheater
- When: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Blake Bailey the Magician:
- Where: Black Fork Commons Amphiteater
- When: 4:30 p.m.
Inflatable Zone:
- Where: Black Fork Commons
- When: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Kids’ Safety Spot: Explore a variety of safety service vehicles during a community touch-a-truck event.
- Where: Parking Lot near Skiles Lawn
- When: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Shelby Bicycle Museum Open House: Experts in Shelby bicycle history will be on-hand at the Shelby Justice Center to answer questions and provide guided tours of the Shelby Bicycle Museum.
- Where: Shelby Justice Center
- When: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Live Music: Gone Sovereign
- Where: Black Fork Commons Amphitheater
- When: 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 11 🗓️
Lindy Flyer Community Bike Tour (14th annual): Event information and release.
- Where: Corner of West Main Street and Washington Street
- When: 8:30 a.m.
Shelby Farmer’s Market:
- Where: Shelby First Lutheran Church
- When: 9 a.m.
Shelby Bicycle Museum Open House: Experts in Shelby bicycle history will be on-hand at the Shelby Justice Center to answer questions and provide guided tours of the Shelby Bicycle Museum.
- Where: Shelby Justice Center
- When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Shelby Steel & Wheel Tour: Starting at the Shelby Bicycle Museum in the Justice Center, 29-31 Mack Avenue. Join a fun, slow-paced bicycle tour to 10 historic Shelby locations highlighting the industries and people who built Shelby. Vintage bikes are welcome but not required! Find the route on shelbycyclehistory.org.
- Where: Shelby Justice Center
- When: 10 a.m.
Main Midway: Food trucks and non-food vendors.
- Where: Black Fork Commons Plaza
- When: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Midway Marquee Letters: Snap a selfie or take a group photo with the light up marquee letters at the end of the Main Midway.
- Where: Black Forks Commons
- When: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Ax Throwing:
- Where: Black Fork Commons
- When: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Kids’ Passport Contest: Complete three of six Bicycle Days events for a chance to win a 20-inch bike or Target gift card.
- Where: Black Fork Commons
- When: All day Friday and Saturday
Kids’ Bicycle Registration: Kids may register their bike with the Shelby Police Department so that in the event it is stolen, it can be tracked and returned to its owner.
- Where: Black Fork Commons
- When: All day Friday and Saturday
Balloon Artist: Stop by for fun, colorful balloon creations.
- Where: Black Fork Commons
- When: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Midway DJ: Enjoy music along the midway.
- Where: Black Fork Commons
- When: 4 p.m. until fireworks
Dunk Tank:
- Where: Black Form Commons
- When: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Inflatable Zone:
- Where: Black Fork Commons
- When: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Kids’ Bike Clinic: Learn how to successfully tune up your bicycle and how to safely ride this summer while completing the kids’ obstacle course.
- Where: Seltzer Park Tennis Courts
- When: 11 a.m. to noon
Bike Decorating Contest: Grab a free kit which includes supplies to decorate your bike.
- Where: Seltzer Park Tennis Courts
- When: 11 a.m. to noon
Kids’ Zone: Wristband required.
- Where: Shelby Veterans Memorial Event Center, 32 W. Main St.
- When: Noon to 8 p.m.
Beer Garden: VFW Post 291
- Where: 34 W. Main St.
- When: 1 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Shelby Bicycle Days Parade: Gather for this year’s Shelby Bicycle Days’ Parade along Main Street and Gamble Street.
- Where: Downtown Shelby
- When: 2 p.m.
Whiz Bang Science Show:
- Where: Black Fork Commons Amphitheater
- When: Following Parade.
Shelby Help Line Pie Auction: Bid on your favorite pie to help support the efforts of Shelby Help Line Ministries.
- Where: Black Fork Commons, OhioHealth Pavilion
- When: Following Parade.
Princess Meet and Greet: Meet and take photos with your favorite Princesses.
- Where: Main Street Band Stand
- When: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Northern Raiders: The Northern Raiders are bringing armored combat to Shelby.
- Where: Main Street Band Stand
- When: 4:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Kids’ Minispokes: A collection of fun challenges for kids to complete!
- Where: Skiles Lawn
- When: 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Music in the Amphitheater featuring Triad:
- Where: Black Fork Commons Amphitheater
- When: 7:30 p.m.
Shelby Bicycle Days Fireworks:
- Where: Skiles Lawn
- When: At dark.
