Bikes, Beer and Bands

Angie, NBC5 Street Team

Tour de Fat was in Palmer Square park today, a pro-bike, anti-car, pro-environment, pro-beer event. New Belgium Brewery out of Colorado throws the event and holds it in 10 other cities, all of which are out west. Chicago was the first stop on their tour. Thank you, Fat Tire for including Chicago in on the fun. Five types of Fat Tire beer were served and all of the proceeds go to a local organization, in this case West Town Bikes who offers programs for the community and wants to build a bigger facility. The message was primarily, “drive less or not at all and ride a bike”. A funeral procession for a car was held at one point. Other good causes were represented too such as composting (all beer glasses were made from corn and could be composted) and buying locally produced vegetables. The day started with a parade around Logan Square of bikes and other interesting contraptions that passed as bikes. There were a couple of bluegrass singers singing in rocking chairs being pulled by a 4-person bike. It added some ambiance to the ride. Costumes were encouraged so wigs and boas and fairy wings were present. I wore my tutu. The ride ended with a party in Palmer Square and a line up of entertainment for the afternoon including the bands Paperbirds and Mucca Pazza. There was a slow ride contest to see who could ride their bike the slowest and an interpretive dance contest which was won by a little girl and a fairy man. There was also a pen of wacky bikes that anyone could try to ride. It was a good day of hanging with other bike lovers. Just make sure you take it easy on the microbrew before you ride home