05 Mar 2015 --- 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.
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, which has raised close to $4 million for local non-profits since it all began and raised more than $600,000 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.
Each stop kicks off with a costumed bicycle parade that winds 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. 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!”
