Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE - Thousands are estimated to flock to Winona Lake next weekend to participate in the town's third annual Northern Indiana Fat and Skinny Tire Festival.
From Friday to Sunday, bicycling enthusiasts will partake in a plethora of festival activities, including numerous road and trail races, stunt shows, a Midwestern movie premiere, live music, even free massages from Charter College of Health.
"Ultimately, we want to promote healthy lifestyles and showcase our community to other areas," event coordinator Greg Demopoulos said. "We want to show people that biking is fun, and, most importantly, it's good for you."
Competitions taking place on the town's bike trails will be held by the DINO series, Indiana's largest mountain bike racing organization. But Trailhouse co-owner Rob Gast expects bikers to travel from all areas of the Midwest to experience one of the top-ranked trails in the country.
"We're hoping to establish Winona Lake as a premiere bicycling destination, both with the history involved in the area and the trails that are offered," Gast said. "It's amazing how far bicyclists will go to play their game, and we want to bring as many people to the town as we can."
One event scheduled for the festival is a showing of the biking film "Roam" during Fat and Skinny's welcoming party Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Mad Anthony Taphouse.
The movie, previously only shown in California, is a documentary filmed over two years that features professional riders touring various locations throughout the world.
"To us it's pretty cool, to have a nationally recognized cycling video premiere in Warsaw," Trailhouse co-owner Robbie Gast said. "We contacted the producers to see if the movie could be shown here, because there has been no showing even close to the east coast yet, and they were very supportive of the idea."
Also available for the public will be a kids' safety bike rodeo presented by the Kosciusko County Safe Kids organization; a historical tour of Winona Lake by Billy Sunday Museum curator Bill Fristenberger; a BMX stunt show provided by X-Games athletes; and live music by The Mad Cow Boys, The Resolutes and Strumtrulescent.
"Not to say we didn't plan anything for this festival, but many of the activities seemed to fall into place the last two years," Demopoulos said. "But we've been working hard on finding what people want when they come for the bike festival.
"I think we're definitely moving in the right direction."
To provide a local flavor, organizers scheduled an Orthopedic Cup Race, where individuals from various county businesses and organizations will race around Winona's island for Kosciusko bragging rights.
"That's one that will be fun to watch," Demopoulos said. "Many of these guys don't bike that often, so there's going to be some huffing and puffing before it's over."
Bicyclists who want to compete can sign up for events the days of each race, and the public is welcome to watch from various locations throughout the tracks. For more information, call the Trailhouse at 574-267-2223.
