Athlone gears up for inaugural bike festival
A dynamic group of volunteers has come together to organise the first ever bike festival in Athlone, which will take place this June Bank Holiday weekend, from Saturday, May 31 to Monday, June 2.
John Henson, chairperson of the bike festival, said that the mayor of Athlone, Cllr Frankie Keena had long been an advocate of this type of active festival.
According to Henson, 'The absence of any local festival or event on this Bank Holiday weekend has provided an opening to put it into Athlone's annual festival calendar',' he said.'
'The Athlone festival and events committee has laid a solid foundation over the years, offering templates for traffic management, insurance, health and safety and stewarding.
'Their shared equipment and volunteer support will ensure that the bike festival is executed to the highest standards,' he said.
Bike festival
John expressed gratitude to Westmeath County Council and the Athlone regional sports centre for their sponsorship and support.
Festival committee member Morgan Fagg expressed hope that Athlone's first bike fest will inspire more people to cycle, highlighting the environmental, health, and efficiency benefits of cycling.
Fagg said: 'It will be wonderful to involve like-minded individuals in growing this festival annually and making Athlone a central hub for cycling groups every June.'
Mayor Frankie Keena, also a committee member, emphasised that the Athlone bike fest will offer something for everyone, 'whether they're into long distance cycling, taking part in the bike parade or just watching.'
The Bike Fest will feature a fun slow bike race, bike treasure hunts, vintage bike displays, a bike parade, and stunt displays by the Savage Skills crew.
There will be a charity spinathon benefiting Esker House Domestic Abuse Support Service on Saturday, May 31, with registration at 9:30am. Sporting organisations, corporates, and individuals are invited to form teams and see how far they can cycle in an hour. All proceeds will go to this worthy cause, and the winning team will receive a perpetual trophy.
Also on Saturday, a family bike treasure trail will take place in the car park beside the bowling alley at 12 noon.
Athlone Community Radio will do an outside broadcast at the Canopy, Church Street from 10:00a.m-5:00p.m.
The Baysports Kayaking Experience will take place at Burgess Park from 11:00a.m-4:00p.m, and rounding off the day's events will be the Athlone GAA 24 hour spinathon at Athlone GAA club.
On Sunday, June 1, there will a bike parade though Athlone, starting at Burgess Park at 2.30pm. A slow bike race will go through town, leaving the same venue at 3:45p.m.
The Baysports Kayaking Experience is also based at Burgess Park on Sunday from 11:00a.m.-4:00p.m.
On Monday 2, Savage Skills BMX Amazing Stunts will give three performances at Burgess Park, at 11:30a.m., 1:30p.m. and 3:00p.m.
A children's cycling safety event hosted by Athlone Gardai will be held at Burgess Park from 10.30a.m.
Artist Shane Turner will showcase his speed painting skills at Burgess Park from 11:00a.m.-2:00p.m.
The Baysports Kayaking Experience will continue at Burgess Park from 11:00a.m.-4:00p.m, rounding off a fun-filled festival.
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