People-powered transportation with two wheels, and occasionally three wheels or even one wheel, is being celebrated this week as the annual Shelby Bicycle Days welcomes visitors to Black Fork Commons.
Each summer for over two decades, the streets of downtown Shelby have come alive with a celebration of local history, particular the city’s own Shelby Bicycle Company, which operated from 1921 through 1953. As noted on the festival’s website, in 1937 Ohio companies accounted for half of all American bicycle manufacturing, and Shelby produced one third of those. More Shelby bicycle history can be found here.
Fast forward to 2019. The festival kicks off on Thursday with a kiddie king and queen contest and the opening of a three-day midway. Events include the following:
Thursday, July 11
MTD Midway open 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM (Please note inflatables will not be in operation on Thursday, July 11)
5:30 PM — W.W. Skiles Field — Kiddie King and Queen Crowning
At Conclusion of Crowning — Kids’ Mini-Spokes Activity Zone presented by Discovery Dental
At Conclusion of Crowning — Kids’ Safety Spot presented by ArcelorMittal
7:00 PM — Black Fork Commons Pavilion — Downtown History Walk – Sponsored by Barkdull Funeral Home
Friday, July 12
MTD Midway open Noon to 11:00 PM
Mechanics Bank Inflatable Zone open 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Noon — Rotary Community Lunch
6:00 PM — Spokes4Kids Community Challenge — Entry Form == Presented by Richland Young Professionals and Richland Bank
9:00 PM — Bike-In Movie Theatre sponsored by Rotary Club of Shelby
Saturday, July 13
MTD Midway open Noon to 11:00 PM
Mechanics Bank Inflatable Zone open Noon to 11:00 PM
8:30 AM — Lindy Flyer Community Bike Tour — Waiver and Route Forms — Sponsored by Mansfield AAA
9:00 AM — Downtown Farmers’ Market
11:30 AM to 1:00 PM — Seltzer Park Tennis Courts — Kids’ Bike Clinic — Tune Up, Helmets & Skills Course — Sponsored by Hess Industries
11:30 AM to 1:00 PM — Seltzer Park Tennis Courts — Bike Decorating Contest sponsored by Civista Bank — Judging at 1:00 PM at Grand Boulevard
2:00 PM — Shelby Bicycle Days Parade — Entry Form — Sponsored by Penwell Turner Funeral Home
Following Parade — Shelby Help-Line Ministries Pie Auction
Following Parade — Historical Shelby Cycle Display
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM — Kids’ Characters — Amphitheater in Black Fork Commons — Sponsored by Shelby Mutual Insurance Agency
7:30 to 9:30 PM — Donley Ford Pre-Fireworks Show featuring Three Ton Toad
9:30 PM — Fireworks Display kickstarted by Adams, Albert & Curry
