Tour of Elk Grove becomes an event

It's a great event for the suburbs, and we encourage the public to turn out.

For some reason, most of us tend to criticize rather than praise, complain about a problem rather than express appreciation for the solution, carp rather than rave.

Without question, there's some constructive good in that.

Problems have to be pointed out if they're going to be fixed. Poor performance needs to be identified if it's going to be improved.

But you wouldn't raise your child that way. At least you wouldn't want to.

You'd want to point out errors, of course, but you'd also want to balance that with support and encouragement, to make sure you're giving credit where credit is due.

So let's use this space today to give some appropriate credit.

A significant annual attraction is growing in the suburbs, and it's worth noting.

On the weekend of Aug. 1-3, the Alexian Brothers International Cycling Classic Tour of Elk Grove returns for its third year, and when it does, the ambitious set of road races will show still more improvement.

The event has joined a long and growing list of significant cultural and entertainment venues and events that provide the suburbs not just with tourism, but also with an identity. Whether it's the Arlington Million and Arlington Park; a growing number of professional theater venues; various professional sports teams; Allstate Arena and the Sears Centre; comedy clubs; Six Flags Great America amusement park, the Grand Victoria Casino and Medieval Times; or Morton Arboretum, the suburbs are teeming with rich attractions, and that list is an abbreviated one. It does not include numerous others that are worthy of mention.

In Elk Grove Village, Mayor Craig Johnson and others had a vision more than three years ago to stage a bicycle race that would draw the top cyclists from around the world.

That vision is coming true.

This year, the event expands to three days, the total prize money increases to $225,000 and the geography stretches to include Schaumburg.

This year, it also will be a greater focal point on the Chicago area sports calendar. It won't be competing with the Arlington Million, and it won't be competing with a Chicago Bears preseason game.

It is becoming "an event," as Johnson had initially envisioned.

One key ingredient, added this year, is the idea of a community block party. Free parties will be held on the Friday and Saturday evenings of the Tour just outside the finish line, with fireworks planned each night.

It's a great event for the suburbs, and we encourage the public to turn out to watch the races and take part in the festivities.

To Johnson and the team working behind the scenes on the Tour, we say thanks. And let's keep the event growing.