A variety of events will celebrate and highlight the extensive trail system in the Cedar Falls/Waterloo metro Thursday, Aug. 8 through Sunday Aug. 11. The weekend’s events are coordinated by several groups dedicated to bringing more awareness and usage to the Cedar Valley trails. More details on all events are available at cedarvalleytrails.org.
The Cedar Trails Partnership is a voluntary, non-profit organization dedicated to improving, maintaining and expanding the recreational trail system and to promoting their safe and enjoyable use. Anyone is invited to join by visiting cedartrailspartnership.org.
Thursday, August 8
5:45 p.m. SCHEELS Running, Walking & Biking Clubs, Cedar Falls SCHEELS storeAny experience level is welcome to join the staff and head for the Cedar Prairie Trail. Helmets required. Refreshments provided.
Sponsored by SCHEELS
Friday, August 9
7 p.m. Friday Night Loops and Movies Under the Moon, Overman Park, Cedar FallsA ride on city streets will highlight the community’s bicycle friendliness. Return to Overman Park for an outdoor showing of “Gremlins.”
Sponsored by Cedar Valley Cyclists and Community Main Street
Saturday, August 10
8 a.m. 5K-Nine Doggie Run/Walk, Gateway Park, Cedar FallsBring your dog for a run/walk along Big Woods Lake Trail, though a dog is not required to participate. Preregistration is encouraged, cost $20.
Coordinated by Cedar River Runners Club and sponsored by Advanced Pet Care Clinic 9 a.m. Fourth Annual Cedar Valley Pet Fest, Gateway Park, Cedar FallsThis event raises awareness and money for the many animal rescues in the area and they will be on hand with pets to meet. Area veterinarians, groomers, trainers and others will be present. All pets must be on leashes, as is required on the trails. Hosted by Advanced Pet Care Clinic and Pet Agreed Canine Academy
10 a.m. Tour de Valley Ride, Gateway Park, Cedar FallsBring the little ones for a five-mile family ride, explore the Cedar Valley’s most popular trails on the 25-mile ride or go the distance on the 40-mile Explorer’s Ride. Sponsored by SCHEELS 1:30 p.m. Dirty Ride, Mulligan’s Brick Oven Grill & Pub, Cedar FallsExplore the Cedar Valley’s soft trail system on your mountain bike in places you’ve never seen before.
Coordinated by Cedar Valley Association for Soft Trails and Bike Tech 5:30 p.m. Family Bicycle Safety Rodeo, Gateway Park, Cedar FallsTest your cycling safety skills with local park rangers and law enforcement officers. Free inspections, face painting and food available. Coordinated by Cedar Valley Bicycle Collective and sponsored by Bike Tech 7 p.m. Light up the Night Ride, Gateway Park, Cedar FallsThis signature event of the festival draws hundreds equipped with headlights to ride on trails lined by glow sticks. A short three to four mile ride for families will take place at 8 p.m. Enjoy the music of Fat Cat and concessions by United Church of Christ. Lights and helmets required.
Coordinated by Cedar Valley Cyclists, sponsored by Hearst Center for the Arts and Europa Cycle and Ski. Sunday, August 11
11 a.m. Poker Ride, Mulligan’s Brick Oven Grill & Pub, Cedar FallsRide to designated points of interest along the trails, collecting playing cards, returning to Mulligan’s to reveal your hand; prizes will be awarded. Registration details at cedarvalleytrails.org.
Coordinated by Waverly Friends of the Trails and sponsored by Bike Tech and Mulligan’s
Contact:Larry Buchholz, 319-269-1518 or LDB429@aol.com, chair, Cedar Trails Festival
Kim Manning, 319-268-4266 or kim.manning@cedarfalls.com, Cedar Falls Tourism & Visitors Bureau