Family-friendly ‘Tour Des Plaines” Sept. 15

Families can join Des Plaines Mayor Martin J. Moylan, the Des Plaines Police Department and the Des Plaines Park District for the Tour Des Plaines Bike Ride, which is held in conjunction with Des Plaines Fall Fest, Saturday, Sept. 15.

This year’s bike ride provides the perfect opportunity for families to have fun while getting exercise. The tour is a 9-mile police escorted tour of the city that begins and ends at Lake Park on Howard and Lee streets.

There is no fee to participate in the Tour Des Plaines, but registration and a helmet is necessary. Representatives of Advocate Lutheran General Trauma Center will be selling helmets for $10 at the registration site which will open at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at the Lake Park Golf Club House. The ride will leave at 9 a.m. and will last approximately two hours.

According to police Officer Colin Johnson, several sponsors have generously volunteered to help make the event a success including Illinois American Water providing water, Panera Bread contributing healthy snacks, Fifth Third Bank providing giveaways and prizes, the Des Plaines Park District providing raffle prizes such as gift memberships, Prospect Bikes and Trains manning a repair station, Chiro One offering free screenings, and Des Plaines McDonald’s (Karis Management) providing giveaways and possibly a surprise visit from a special someone. The first 200 registered participants will receive a T-shirt.

According to Johnson, bicyclists may complete the entire course or stop at any point. Children should be accompanied by adults.

“While we welcome families, the ride is long for small children riding bicycles with training wheels,” Johnson said.

Spectators or those participants who have vehicles are encouraged to park in the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1177 Howard St. Preregistration can be made by calling (847) 391-5410 or visit desplaines.org/tourdesplaines to download the form for mailing.

The course will begin and end at Fall Fest which is a three-day family event, Sept. 14-16, sponsored by the Des Plaines Park District, the History Center, and the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The event offers food, beverages, beer, an art fair, carnival rides, games, a KidZone, a country fair tent, lots of musical entertainment and more.

For additional information regarding the Tour Des Plaines, contact Johnson at (847) 391-5410 or cjohnson@desplaines.org.

For information on the Fall Fest visit www.FallFestDesPlaines.com or call (847) 391-5700.

“We hope that everyone who likes to ride a bicycle will come out and participate in the Tour Des Plaines. Bring a friend and join in the fun as we celebrate Des Plaines with this great community bike ride and, afterward, enjoy Fall Fest. It’s a weekend you won’t want to miss, ” Moylan said.

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