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Don’t miss this day for crazy costumes, bikes, eclectic entertainment and New Belgium libations Tour de Fat. They claim it is one of the best ways to celebrate the summer, complete with costumes, bikes, music, performers, contests and beer.
Riders in the Tour de Fat parade down the Nicolett Mall, Minneapolis. (2014)
New Belgium Brewing’s 16th Annual Tour de Fat is coming back to Loring Park, in Minneapolis, Saturday, July 25 for another year of fun. The best part, the daylong event is free, yet all donations and proceeds from beer and merchandise sales go to Twin Cities-area non-profits. This year, all funds raised in Minneapolis will go to Midtown Greenway Coalition, Minnesota Off Road Cycling (MOCA) and theBicycle Alliance of Minnesota(BikeMN).
Riders returning from the Tour de Fat parade for some fun.(2014)
Each year Tour de Fat friends, family and neighbors are all invited to come enjoy eclectic entertainment, brewing education, a bicycle revival and even a fashion show of the best Tour de Fat costumes. In the afternoon, the stages heat up with acts like the Transatlantique Kriek’s.
At 11 am, the event kicks off with a costumed bicycle parade that winds through city streets. The parade begins and ends in Loring Park where the rest of the day’s entertainment shines from musical acts to yo-yo performers, bike contests and even vaudeville acts. This year will also include some brewing education and feature a “Bicycle Revival” to inspire festivalgoers to believe in the power of two-wheeled transportation.
Enjoy some of the food after the Tour de Fat parade. (2014)
Throughout the day, kids of all ages can ride funky bikes in the bike corral, eat delicious fare, relax in the grass, and participate in games and activities. Everyone 21 and older can sample new and classic favorites from New Belgium, including the brewery’s flagship brew, Fat Tire, this summer’s seasonal, Summer Helles, the brand new year-round offering, Snapshot Wheat, and selections from the acclaimed Lips of Faith series.
Tour de Fat Tentative Schedule:
Date: Saturday, July 25
Location: Loring Park
Entertainment/ Revivalation:
10:00 a.m. Parade Registration
11:00 a.m. Parade Start
12:00 p.m. Lips Lounge Tapping: La Folie, Hop Tart, Cocoa Mole
With many parts of the country buried in snow, it’s a good time to start thinking about the joys of summertime, including another season of New Belgium Brewing’s Tour de Fat. The 2015 tour will travel to ten cities this year offering the best way to raise money for local non-profits, celebrate two wheels, dress up as your alter ego and be entertained.
Getting ready for the 2014 Tour de Fat parade in downtown Minneapolis
It all kicks off on May 30 in Washington, D.C. and wraps up in Tempe, AZ on October 3. This year marks the 16th season for Tour de Fat – with close to $4 million being raised for local non-profits since it all began – and more than $600,000 this last year alone. The daylong festivities are free, but all proceeds from beer and merchandise sales, along with parade donations, go to local non-profits.
Bikers in costume having fun riding on the Nicolett Mall in downtown Minneapolis
Each stop kicks off with a costumed bicycle parade that meanders through city streets, ending in a city park for a day of entertainment. That’s when eclectic acts take over: from musical performances to yo-yo entertainers, vaudeville acts to a 1000 person Dance Contest to win a New Belgium Cruiser Bike. New features this year include a new Le Tigre Grande variety tent and Sputnik mobile stage.
Family fun entertainment and contest are offered after returning from the bike parade
The day of carnival creativity concludes with a celebration of inspirational car-for-bike swappers; brave souls who hand over their car keys as a commitment to commute by bike for the next year. “Our love for bikes runs deep at New Belgium, it’s how the company started. So every year we like to spread that love around the country by coming into towns from coast to coast and hosting the best way to spend a Saturday,” said Matt Kowal, Tour de Fat Impresario. “Each city has its own flair and uniqueness, which is what makes it all pretty awesome. And to be able to raise millions of dollars along the way, thanks to everyone who celebrates with us, it’s why we do this. We’re all anxious to get this party started once again!”
Tour de Fat will cycle through each of the following cities in 2015:
Washington, D.C. May 30 Yards Park Durham, NC June 20 Diamond View Park Chicago, IL July 11 Palmer Square Twin Cities, MN July 25 Loring Park Boise, ID August 15 Ann Morrison Park Fort Collins, CO September 5 Civic Center Park Denver, CO September 12 City Park San Francisco, CA September 19 Lindley Meadow – Golden Gate Park San Diego, CA September 26 Golden Hill Park Tempe, AZ October 3 Tempe Beach Park
In costume, enjoying the food and beverages at the bicycle festival
In 2014, Tour de Fat traveled to 10 cities nationwide and attracted 103,500 festival attendees. The philanthropic events raised a total of $625,716 for local nonprofits. New Belgium’s hometown of Fort Collins, Colo. raised the most money (more than $110,000) and attracted the most parade riders and festivalgoers, totaling 25,000 people. During each tour stop, New Belgium tries to leave as little of an environmental imprint as possible. Tour de Fat hosts green vendors, has compost and recycle stations and festival trucks that operate on biofuel sourced from recycled waste oils. For the Tour de Fat credo, schedule, videos and to submit an entry to swap your car for a bike, check out www.facebook.com/TourDeFat. To learn more about New Belgium Brewing, visit www.newbelgium.com.
In costume and returning from the parade these two cyclists are ready to enjoying the Tour de Fat bicycle festival
About New Belgium Brewing Company New Belgium Brewing, makers of Fat Tire Amber Ale and a host of Belgian-inspired beers, is recognized as one of Outside Magazine’s Best Places to Work and one of the Wall Street Journal’s Best Small Businesses. The 100% employee-owned brewery is a Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Business as designated by the League of American Bicyclists, and one of World Blu’s most democratic U.S. businesses, and a Certified B Corp. In addition to Fat Tire, New Belgium brews ten year-round beers; Ranger IPA, Rampant Imperial IPA, Shift Pale Lager, Slow Ride Session IPA, Snapshot Wheat, Sunshine Wheat, 1554 Black Lager, Blue Paddle Pilsner, Abbey Belgian Ale and Trippel. Learn more atwww.newbelgium.com.
Tour de Fat, New Belgium Brewing’s traveling festival of bikes, beer and bemusement, raised approximately $40,000 in Minneapolis, Minn. last Saturday, July 26. This is an increase of about 66 percent from the year before, thanks to about 5,000 bicycle and beer enthusiasts who came to Loring Park for the event.
Although it is free to attend Tour de Fat, proceeds from beer and merchandise sales and donations from bike parade participants went to local nonprofits. The beneficiaries this year, which are all focused on making Minn. a better place to ride, are Midtown Greenway Coalition, Minnesota Off Road Cycling (MORC) and Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota (BikeMN).
“Thanks to the Tour de Fat, we raised more than $30,000 this year for the Midtown Greenway, which has been named the best urban bike trail in the nation,” said Soren Jensen, executive director of Midtown Greenway Coalition. “Funds raised at the Tour de Fat will help protect and enhance the Midtown Greenway, including support for our nightly Trail Watch safety patrol and our efforts to keep the trail clean and green. The Tour de Fat has become our single largest fundraising event, helping to fund our programs that make the Midtown Greenway even better.”
A highlight of every Tour de Fat stop is the car-for-bike swap where one person commits to commute by bike for the next year. Daniel Sarles is this year’s swapper from Minneapolis.
”Giving up my car is not so crazy. There are a combined 177 miles of on and off road bike-ways in Minneapolis,” said Sarles. “Why would I sit in traffic for 30 minutes, then come home and exercise for another 30 minutes, when I can ride a bike for 40 minutes? Tour de Fat is helping me become a more efficient person!”
About New Belgium Brewing Company New Belgium Brewing, makers of Fat Tire Amber Ale and a host of Belgian-inspired beers, is recognized as one of Outside Magazine’s Best Places to Work and one of the Wall Street Journal’s Best Small Businesses. The 100% employee-owned brewery is a Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Business as designated by the League of American Bicyclists, and one of World Blu’s most democratic U.S. businesses, and a Certified B Corp. In addition to Fat Tire, New Belgium brews nine year-round beers; Ranger IPA, Rampant Imperial IPA, Shift Pale Lager, Snapshot Wheat, Sunshine Wheat, 1554 Black Lager, Blue Paddle Pilsener, Abbey Belgian Ale and Trippel. Learn more at www.newbelgium.com.
Jenny Foust, Tour D’ Fat, photos by Russ Lowthian (except top)
Don’t miss this day, Saturday, July 26, of crazy costumes and bikes, eclectic entertainment and New Belgium libations. It’s the best way to celebrate the summer, complete with costumes, bikes, music, performers, contests and beer.
New Belgium Brewing’s Tour de Fat is coming back to Loring Park, in Minneapolis, for another year of fun. The best part, the daylong event is free, yet all donations and proceeds from beer and merchandise sales go to Twin Cities-area non-profits. In total the 2013 season raised nearly $536,000, with the Minneapolis stop bringing in nearly $24,000. This year, all funds raised in Minneapolis will go to Midtown Greenway Coalition, Minnesota Off Road Cycling (MOCA) and Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota (BikeMN).
At Tour de Fat friends, family and neighbors are all invited to come enjoy eclectic entertainment, brewing education, a bicycle revival and even a fashion show of the best Tour de Fat costumes. In the afternoon, the stages heat up with acts like The Handsome Little Devils and Black Joe Lewis.
The event kicks off with a costumed bicycle parade that winds through city streets. The parade begins and ends in Loring Park where the rest of the day’s entertainment shines from musical acts to yo-yo performers, bike contests and even vaudeville acts. This year will also include some brewing education and feature a “Bicycle Revival” to inspire festivalgoers to believe in the power of two-wheeled transportation.
Throughout the day, kids of all ages can ride funky bikes in the bike corral, eat delicious fare, relax in the grass, and participate in games and activities such as a “Thousand Person Dance Contest,” which will determine the winner of a 2014 New Belgium Cruiser Bike. Everyone 21 and older can sample new and classic favorites from New Belgium, including the brewery’s flagship brew, Fat Tire, this summer’s seasonal, Summer Helles, the brand new year-round offering, Snapshot Wheat, and selections from the acclaimed Lips of Faith series.
“This is our 15th year of Tour de Fat and it’s been an incredible journey. This really is one of the best ways to spend a Saturday – there isn’t much that can beat the fun that comes with dressing up, riding a bike, drinking beer, listening to music and just having a great day with old and new friends,” said Matt Kowal, New Belgium Brewing’s Tour de Fat Impresario. “There really is no excuse not to experience the magic yourself!”
Car-for-Bike Swap Anyone?
This year, New Belgium will once again encourage one brave role model to step on stage to trade in his or her car keys and pledge to live car-free for one year. Each swapper is awarded a stipend to buy his or her own commuter bike. We’re now on the hunt for a swapper in Twin Cities. Car-for-Bike Swappers are chosen after submitting an application describing why they are ready to give up their vehicle for the gift of two wheels. To apply, visit: http://www.newbelgium.com/Events/tour-de-fat.aspx.
Tour de Fat Details:
Date: Saturday, July 26
Location: Loring Park
Registration: 10 a.m. Saturday
Ride Times: 11 a.m. to 12 noon.
Entertainment/Revivalation:
12:00 p.m. — Fashion! (Best Costumes of the Tour de Fat)
12:20 p.m. — The Reals Band (https://www.facebook.com/therealsband)
1:20 p.m. — The Slow Ride Race 1:40 p.m. — The Handsome Little Devils (http://handsomelittledevils.com) 2:30 p.m. — Car for Bike Trade 2:45 p.m. —Yo-Yo People (http://www.yoyoshow.com) 3:35 p.m. — 1,000 Person Dance Contest – winner receives a New Belgium cruiser bike! 4:00 p.m. — Black Joe Lewis (http://www.blackjoelewis.com)
5:00 p.m. –– Finale
Price:
Admission – FREE!
Donations for non-profits are accepted
Beer – $5
Pre-Registration
You can pre-register and donate to receive a limited edition Tour de Fat license plate, bike light or sunglasses at http://bit.ly/TDF_TwinCities.
About New Belgium Brewing Company
New Belgium Brewing, makers of Fat Tire Amber Ale and a host of Belgian-inspired beers, is recognized as one of Outside Magazine’s Best Places to Work and one of the Wall Street Journal’s Best Small Businesses. The 100% employee-owned brewery is a Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Business as designated by the League of American Bicyclists, and one of World Blu’s most democratic U.S. businesses, and a Certified B Corp. In addition to Fat Tire, New Belgium brews nine year-round beers; Ranger IPA, Rampant Imperial IPA, Shift Pale Lager, Snapshot Wheat, Sunshine Wheat, 1554 Black Lager, Blue Paddle Pilsener, Abbey Belgian Ale and Trippel. Learn more at www.newbelgium.com.
