Dust off the costume, shine up the bike and get ready for the annual Tour de Fat when it rolls into Denver Sept. 12 at City Park. The daylong event is free, yet all donations and proceeds from beer and merchandise sales go to Denver-area non-profits.
“Maybe you already bike all over town, or you’re a weekend warrior, or just a little bike curious,” said Matt Kowal, New Belgium Brewing’s Tour de Fat impresario. “If so, this is for you. It’s a summer stew of sorts where we all come together, let our alter egos shine with no inhibitions. You’ll find dancing, contests, bike swapping, music making and a tiny tent where anything can happen. It’s one carnival you’ll actually regret missing.”
Some of the eclectic entertainment includes co-headliners Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds – who recently performed on “The Today Show“– and The Suffers, a 10-piece band from Houston recently featured on the “Late Show with David Letterman“, who will bring the redefined sound of Gulf Coast Soul to the Mile High City.
Brewing education, a bicycle revival, rideable art bikes, a “Thousand Person Dance Contest” to win a New Belgium cruiser bike, yo-yo performers, vaudeville acts and a fashion show are also in the mix. In addition, Tour de Fat’s Le Tigre Grande variety tent ups the ante, adding more entertainment options from past years.
Everyone 21 and older can sample new and classic favorites from New Belgium, including the brewery’s flagship brew, Fat Tire, New Belgium’s latest year-round offering, Slow Ride Session IPA, and selections from the acclaimed Lips of Faith series.
As for the fundraising, the entire 2014 season raised more than $625,000, with the Denver stop bringing in a record-breaking $101,003. This year, all funds raised in Denver will go to BikeDenver and The Denver Cruisers.
Every year, New Belgium gets one brave role model to step on stage to trade in his or her car keys for a bike, pledging to live car-free for one year. Each swapper is awarded a stipend to buy his or her own commuter bike. 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. This year, the Car-for-Bike swapper in Denver will be New Belgium’s 100th bicycling hero. The beer brewers would love to hear from interested swappers. Apply at NewBelgium.com/Events/Tour-de-Fat/CarTrader.
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