Tour de Fat Comes Back To Chicago On July 12
By Jon Graef in Food on Jul 5, 2014 8:00PM
After you support your local independent bookstore, head over to Palmer Square to partake in New Belgium Brewing's Tour de Fat, which returns for its 15th year to Chicago on July 12.
The event itself is free, but the beer is $5, the profits from which, along with all merchandise sales, will benefit West Town Bikes. West Town Bikes promotes bicycling and offers bicycling programs for youth.
According to a news release, Chicago's Tour de Fat stop brought in more than $40,000 last year. Once again, Tour de Fat's highlights include the costumed bicycle ride which makes its way throughout Chicago, a Thousand Person Dance Contest, a sampling of fine New Belgium brews, and, as always, the car-for-bike swap. That last one involves one person who pledges to live car-free for an entire year. If you're brave enough to apply, go here.
This year, New Belgium Brewing will pair itself with a few Chicago partners, including Streetsblog Chicago, Links Tap Room, and Happy Village, to host a variety of kick off parties. Through July 12, submit your most inspiring story about bicycling, walking, or using public transit through the Streetsblog Chicago website, and you can win VIP passes for Tour de Fat.
On July 9, at 7 p.m., Tour de Fat hosts a kick-off party at Links Tap Room, 1559 N. Milwaukee Ace. A day later, July 10, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Happy Village, 1059 N. Wolcott Ave., hosts a patio party where you can win a New Belgium cruiser bike, or VIP Tour de Fat passes. Also, drink lots of New Belgium beer for $3.
Pre-register for Tour de Fat Chicago here.