It’s the best way to kick off the summer, complete with costumes, bikes, music, performers, contests and beer. New Belgium Brewing’s Tour de Fat is coming back to our nation’s capitol on Saturday, May 31 in Yards Park. The day-long event is free, yet all donations and proceeds from beer and merchandise sales go to D.C. area non-profits. In total the 2013 season raised nearly $536,000, with D.C. bringing in more than $35,000. This year all funds will go toward Washington Area Bicyclist Association, Black Women Bike DC, Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling, Phoenix Bikes and Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE).
Friends, family and neighbors are all invited to come enjoy eclectic entertainment, brewing education, a bicycle revival and even a fashion show of the best Tour de Fat costumes. In the afternoon, the stages heat up with acts like The Handsome Little Devils and Reggie Watts.
Throughout the day, kids of all ages can ride funky bikes in the bike corral, eat delicious fare from Mellow Mushroom, DC Slices or Rolling Ficelle, relax in the grass, and participate in games and activities such as a “Thousand Person Dance Contest,” which will determine the winner of a 2014 New Belgium Cruiser Bike. Everyone 21 and older can sample new and classic favorites from New Belgium, including the brewery’s flagship brew, Fat Tire, this summer’s seasonal, Summer Helles, the brand new year-round offering, Snapshot Wheat, and selections from the acclaimed Lips of Faith series.
“This is our 15th year of Tour De Fat and it’s been an incredible journey. This really is one of the best ways to spend a Saturday – there isn’t much that can beat the fun that comes with dressing up, riding a bike, drinking beer, listening to music and just having a great day with old and new friends,” said Matt Kowal, New Belgium Brewing’s Tour de Fat Impresario. “There really is no excuse not to experience the magic yourself!”
This year, New Belgium will once again encourage one brave role model to step on stage to trade in his or her car keys and pledge to live car-free for one year. Each swapper is awarded a stipend to buy his or her own commuter bike. We’re now on the hunt for a swapper in Washington, D.C. Car-for-Bike Swappers are chosen after submitting an application describing why they are ready to give up their vehicle for the gift of two wheels. To apply, visit: www.newbelgium.com/tour-de-fat.
New to D.C. for 2014 are several opportunities to win VIP passes and even a chance to try out a Tour de Fat and Bluejacket Brewery collaboration beer. New Belgium and Bluejacket have partnered up to create Sideshow, a session IPA with lactobacillus, which people will be able to try out at a Tour de Fat pre-party and volunteer salute on Thursday, May 29. The VIP passes will get people complimentary beer, food, and access to a VIP lounge.
Washington, D.C. Events Leading up to Tour de Fat
Trivia and Tap Takeover at Justin’s Café (1025 First Street SE, Washington, D.C.)
May 13, 2014 | 7 – 10 p.m.
Join New Belgium Brewing at Justin’s Café for a night of trivia and a chance to win VIP passes to Tour de Fat. Enjoy Summer Helles, Snapshot, Fat Tire, and Ranger IPA.
Tour de Fat Patio Pre-Party at Whole Foods (1440 P Street, NW, Washington, D.C.)
May 22, 2014 | 4 – 8 p.m.
Join New Belgium Brewing and Whole Foods for a chance to win a New Belgium cruiser bike, VIP passes to Tour de Fat, and partake in a creative carnival cuisine. New Belgium beers will be paired with Whole Foods’ culinary creations. You can learn more about Tour de Fat – and its support of local bike advocacy – while enjoying a beer before heading out for Memorial Day Weekend.
Pre-Tour de Fat Photo Foolery at Mellow Mushroom (2436 18th Street, NW, Washington, D.C.)
May 22, 2014 | 7 – 9 p.m.
Join New Belgium Brewing at Mellow Mushroom for an evening of photo-foolery. Strike a pose and earn a chance to win VIP passes to Tour de Fat and gift cards from the restaurant. We’ll have costume props and a camera – come in set to smile with some Snapshot Wheat, Fat Tire, and Lips of Faith beers.
Tour de Fat Pre-Party and Volunteer Salute at Churchkey (1337 14th Street, NW, Washington, D.C.)
May 29, 2014 | 5 – 9 p.m.
New Belgium Brewing is thrilled to host volunteers of the D.C. Tour de Fat and D.C. guests at Churchkey. To mark the occasion, along with Bluejacket Brewery, New Belgium will debut “Sideshow” – a collaboration beer celebrating bikes, beer, and bemusement. New Belgium employee-owners will be present for an evening of pre-Tour de Fat excitement. A New Belgium cruiser bike will be raffled off in support of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association and guests will have a chance to win VIP passes to the DC Tour de Fat stop.
Tour de Fat Details
Date:
Saturday, May 31
Location:
Yards Park
Registration:
10:00 a.m.
Ride Times:
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Entertainment/Revivalation:
Revival Stage
12:00 p.m. — Fashion! (Best Costumes of the Tour de Fat)
12:20 p.m. — The Reals (https://www.facebook.com/therealsband)
1:30 p.m. — Slow Ride Race
2:30 p.m. — 1,000 Person Dance Contest
3:15 p.m. — Car for Bike Trade
3:30 p.m. — Lee Zimmerman – The Puppet Guy (http://www.zimmer-man.com)
4:00 p.m. — Reggie Watts (http://www.reggiewatts.com)
5:00 p.m. — Finale
Variety Stage
12:45 p.m. — The Handsome Little Devils (http://handsomelittledevils.com)
2:00 p.m. — Yo-Yo People (http://www.yoyoshow.com)
3:30 p.m. — Nigel Blackstorm (https://www.facebook.com/nigelblackstorm)
Benefitting:
Washington Area Bicyclist Association (http://www.waba.org)
Black Women Bike DC (http://blackwomenbikedc.tumblr.com)
Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling (http://www.fabb-bikes.org)
Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE) (http://www.more-mtb.org)
Phoenix Bikes (http://www.phoenixbikes.org)
Price:
Admission – FREE!
Donations for non-profits are accepted
Beer – $5 for a 16 oz. pour
Pre-Registration
You can pre-register and donate to receive a limited edition Tour de Fat license plate, bike light or sunglasses at http://bit.ly/1sdeg5C.
See www.facebook.com/TourDeFat for the Tour de Fat credo, schedules, videos and to submit an entry to swap your vehicle for a fancy new bicycle. For more on the D.C. stop visit http://www.newbelgium.com/events/tour-de-fat/washington.aspx.
About New Belgium Brewing Company
New Belgium Brewing, makers of Fat Tire Amber Ale and a host of Belgian-inspired beers, is recognized as one of Outside Magazine’s Best Places to Work and one of the Wall Street Journal’s Best Small Businesses. The 100% employee-owned brewery is a Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Business as designated by the League of American Bicyclists, and one of World Blu’s most democratic U.S. businesses, and a Certified B Corp. In addition to Fat Tire, New Belgium brews nine year-round beers; Ranger IPA, Rampant Imperial IPA, Shift Pale Lager, Snapshot Wheat, Sunshine Wheat, 1554 Black Lager, Blue Paddle Pilsener, Abbey Belgian Ale and Trippel. Learn more at www.newbelgium.com.