Boise News

bikes, beer and environmental sustainability

Boise Gets Ready to Tour de Fat

By J. Gelband, 8-07-07

Our friends that make Fat Tire ale in lovely Ft. Collins (nee Fort Collins), Colorado, are coming back to Boise this month for the annual Tour de Fat festival of bikes, beer and environmental sustainability.

The New Belgium Brewing-hosted yearly event hits only 12 cities throughout the summer – traveling on B100 biodiesel fuel, of course – and makes its way to the City of Trees on August 25.

Tour de Fat is a tradition in Boise for cyclists and beer drinkers alike. It is also a charity event with the loot raised from beer sales benefiting the Southwest Idaho Mountain Biking Association, an organization that educates cyclists and helps build and maintain public trails, and the Treasure Valley Cycling Alliance, a group that promotes cycling as a healthy, economical and practical way to travel.

The New Belgium brewery, for those that don’t know, is the third largest craft brewer in the United States and it takes pride in being a responsible corporate role model with progressive programs for employees and a commitment to environmental stewardship.

So Tour de Fat is not just a drunk fest and a charity fundraiser for cyclists – the New Belgium folks take their dedication to a green lifestyle seriously as well; bands, such as Austin’s phenomenal Asylum Street Spankers and Lord Loves a Working Man, and zany sideshow entertainers play from solar-powered stages that are transported in solar-powered trailers.

“Tour de Fat is a one of a kind, must-see summer event,” said Chris Winn, Tour de Fat’s coordinator. “People and bikes parade around decorated in outrageous costumes, great musicians take to the solar-powered stage, and fascinating performers entertain with creative antics, all while we raise money for local organizations that support the two-wheeled lifestyle.”

The festival began seven years ago in Ft. Collins as an attempt to increase awareness and participation in cycling as the sustainable transportation alternative. Last year Tour de Fat traveled to 11 cities – including Boise – and drew more than 31,000 revelers who helped raise more than $166,000.

The all-day party begins in Julia Davis Park near the Rose Garden at 11 a.m. with the Cruiser Bike Parade. Throughout the day, other entertainers will perform on the solar stage, including sword swallowers, fire eaters, chainsaw jugglers,1920’s European Cabaret, belly dancers, old world Yiddish theater, and more. For an entire lineup of acts, check out the Tour de Fat web site. 

The site also lists the other cities along the festival route – including a handful of New West cities – in case you want to go on tour with the show like people used to do with Phish back in the day. This tour is kind of in the same vein. Meh, but only kinda.

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