Annual Bicycle Rodeo provides support for local children

Each year, the bicycle rodeo is held in Winchester.

In 2024, the beloved rodeo returned.

The yearly bicycle rodeo, put on by Winchester-Clark County Parks and Recreation (WCCPR) in collaboration with Winchester Elks Lodge #2816, occurred on Saturday, June 29, at Lykins Park.

“The goal of the bicycle rodeo is to get kids outside on bicycles safely,” said Tiffany Fletcher, WCCPR Assistant Programs Director.

The Bicycle Rodeo has been taking place in Clark County for over 10 years.

As with every year, safety was paramount at Saturday’s event.

“We combined a giveaway with bicycles with their safety courses and stations here at the event,” Fletcher said. “They get some swag to help them stay safe on their bicycles….we combine all that into one big fun day.”

Well over 25 volunteers helped to teach kids safety and guided them along paths drawn on the concrete.

Among them was Kevin Ryan, Aquatics Director for WCCPR, who helped ensure that each rider’s helmet was on safely.

With over a dozen volunteers, Winchester Elks Lodge #2816 was happy to contribute in more ways than one.

“We get the money for this event from the Elks Lodge. They give us a Beacon Grant,” Fletcher added. “All the money they give us goes toward new bicycles; without them, we wouldn’t have this event at all.”

“We’re about helping out and giving back to the community,” said Larry Hall, Exalted Ruler with Winchester Elks Lodge #2816. “It’s just a good thing for us.”

This year, WCCPR received new assistance.

The Bluegrass Cycling Club – located in Lexington – contributed for the first time.

“We applied for a grant this year and interviewed for it…they ended up giving us a grant,” Fletcher said. “They don’t do much in Winchester yet and want to get involved.”

The resources and volunteers had plenty of visitors to keep them busy.

According to Fletcher, 108 kids signed up online for the bicycle rodeo, and each participant went home with a free t-shirt commemorating the event.

Yet, that wasn’t all.

“We always have a lot of same-day registrations, too,” she said. “We’re hoping for around 150 kids.”

Such numbers were beneficial in more ways than one.

“We have sixty bikes to give away today, so the chances of winning one are pretty good,” she said.

Hall was asked what his favorite part of the day was, and he said, “It’s about [helping] our next generation. Anything that we can do to help kids out, we’re there.”

The post Annual Bicycle Rodeo provides support for local children appeared first on Winchester Sun .