An estimated 500 people showed up for this first time event. Considering they were competing with the State Fair, Roundup on the Range, and the Race for the Cure, it was an impressive turn out. REI had 20 vendor booths around the lake, and plan on 60 for next year. They gave away lots of prizes (including a whole camp site), and hope to increase the value of the prizes for next year as well.
REI also purchased helmets through the Texas Bicycle Coaltion’s “Helmets By The Dozen” program and allowed KC Jones, a Texas Bicycle Coalition Fort Worth Local Outreach Coordinator, to give them away as people rode on her bike skills course. Thank you REI. Your generosity provided 21 kids and adults with helmets after they participated in the training and rode the course! We wish to thank DORBA as well. They assisted with helmet fittings and gave mountain biking demonstrations.
The Coaltion’s A-Z bike workbooks were given out to all who stopped by the training area. Other activites offered that day included kayaks and canoes provided by REI and Kayakpower.com. They raffled off prizes and KLAK (97.5) provided the tunes.
Towne Lake Recreation Area is McKinney’s premier park. Park amenities include a 22 acre lake, lighted hike/bike trails, picnic pavilions, restroom/concession services, and a very large parking lot perfect for drawing out a bike obstacle course for kids and adults to practice skills like signaling turns.