FORT COLLINS, Colo. (BRAIN) — New Belgium Brewing’s rolling summertime festival, Tour de Fat, will travel to 10 cities this year to raise money for local nonprofits and celebrate the two-wheel lifestyle.
This year marks the 16th season for Tour de Fat, which has raised close to $4 million for local nonprofits since it launched, and raised more than $600,000 last year alone.
Each stop kicks off with a costumed bicycle parade that winds through city streets, ending in a city park for a day of entertainment. 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.”
Tour de Fat will cycle through each of the following cities in 2015:
- Washington, D.C., Yards Park, May 30
- Durham, N.C., Diamond View Park, June 20
- Chicago, Palmer Square, July 11
- Twin Cities, Minn., Loring Park, July 25
- Boise, Idaho, Ann Morrison Park, Aug. 15
- Fort Collins, Colo., Civic Center Park, Sept. 5
- Denver, City Park, Sept. 12
- San Francisco, Lindley Meadow at Golden Gate Park, Sept. 19
- San Diego, Golden Hill Park, Sept. 26
- Tempe, Ariz., Tempe Beach Park, Oct. 3
For more information on the tour or to submit an entry to swap your car for a bike, visit the Tour de Fat Facebook page.
