Underwriting support from:
New Belgium Cruiser available to win at the Crank event /Cari Niewiek
Children's events at The Spoke Folks event /Cari Niewiek
The Spoke Folks will be holding their second annual bicycle festival and fundraiser event "Crank" on Saturday, May 30 from noon to 6 p.m. at The Spoke Folks Bicycle Co-op (221 Logan St SW). All proceeds from sales will benefit their mission as a local bicycle cooperative.
Spoke Folks is looking to provide fun for the whole family and be a time to revel in all things bicycle.
"If you are a new cyclist and want to meet other awesome people in our city, you need to come out and enjoy some local BBQ and awesome brews, bicycle obstacle courses, endless cotton candy and popcorn and dunk tank," says Mariah Kennedy, Director of Shop Operations. "We encourage everyone to come down and enjoy what is going to be a beautiful afternoon. I am excited about this event because it gives our community in GR a chance to built and celebrate the existing cycling culture. This festival creates a middle ground for every type of cyclist to come together. Our hope with creating this celebrating space,people will be able to connect with others in their community they may have not before."
Crank celebrates both the utility and the joy of bicycling. It will feature activities including a skills course, lively competitions, bike decorating for the kids and educational sessions. Local food options will be available, as well as beers from Brewery Vivant and New Belgium Brewing. The Spoke Folks encourages attendees to ride their bicycles to the event. The Greater Grand Rapids Bicycle Coalition will provide bicycle parking. All proceeds from sales will benefit the mission of The Spoke Folks.
Kennedy also wants people to know about the chance to win a new bike.
"Every person has the chance to win a New Belgium Cruiser," she says. "The game is called Itty Bit Guesstimate where people will be guessing the number of spoke nipples, tube caps and ball bearings inside a mason jar [for] $5 a guess. You can guess before and during the event."
The Spoke Folks is a non-profit bicycle cooperative, in operation since 2012. Their focus is on bicycle maintenance, repair and rider education. Their mission is to increase and sustain bicycle ridership in Grand Rapids while providing a well-equipped gathering space for individuals to become empowered through working on their bikes and sharing a common passion. They accomplish this mission through their bike shop on the southwest side of Grand Rapids and also through a mobile repair truck that allows them to be accessible to all of the Greater Grand Rapids area.
Sign up to volunteer here. The event is at 221 Logan St SW. Entrance to the event is free.
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