KICK OFF TO CEDAR TRAILS FESTIVAL

This year a walking event will kick off the annual Cedar Trails Festival. First Security State Bank will be hosting the opening celebration on Friday, August 12, 2005 at 7:45 am. At approximately 8:00am there will be an opportunity to start your day off with a trail walk! This event will provide different walking distances for different enthusiasms.

	Trail Tram takes seniors out for a trail ride

Upon return there will be light refreshments provided by First Security State Bank. We encourage everyone to grab your coworkers, friends, and family to start your day off with a healthy activity and a fun social event! Please call the Cedar Falls Tourism & Visitors Bureau with any questions at 268-4266.

SENIOR CRUISE

The Senior Trail Cruise as part of the Cedar Trails Festival will be held Friday, August 12, 11:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m. at Gateway Park in Cedar Falls. Mayor Jon Crews will give a welcome at 11:30am followed with a program involving an acoustic guitar player, then off to the tours and lunch. Participants 55 and older are given the opportunity to take an hour ride in vans on a part of the trail system. Pre-registration is required at the Cedar Falls Community Center starting July 27th until August 10th. A waiver must be signed and $3 pre-paid for the lunch. Registration closes at 200 people. The Trail Tram from Hartman Reserve will be available for a ride at $2 for all ages. For more information, contact the Cedar Falls Tourism and Visitors Bureau at 268-4266.

BIKE RODEO

The annual Bike Rodeo at Black Hawk Park will be held on August 13, 2005, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the ball field. This is an opportunity for you to test your bicycling skills, all ages are welcome. Bring your bike and safety gear. This event is based on skill not speed. Your bike will be given a basic inspection and then you get to ride our course. This is a free event, come and enjoy the fun.

Night ride by the river

CARAT RIDE: RIDERS ENJOY THE TRAILS BY CANDLELIGHT

The Cedar Trails Festival Night Ride will be held on Saturday, August 13th at Gateway Park. The ride is one of the signature events of the festival and allows participants the opportunity to experience the Cedar Valley trail system in a totally different light: candlelight.

Registration begins at 7 p.m. Arrive early to register for the event, sign a waiver, and enjoy the music of Bob Dorr and The Blue Band, who will play from 7-9 p.m. The 9.25 mile ride begins at dusk, approximately 9 p.m. Participants will ride through George Wyth Memorial State Park, cross the U.S. Highway 218 bridge, go up the South Riverside Trail, through Hartman Reserve and Pfeiffer Park, and return to Gateway Park.

There is no charge for the ride, but donations are appreciated. Glow necklaces will also be available for purchase. All funds raised will be used to support further enhancement of the trail system.

For safety, participants are asked to light both the front and rear of their bicycles and wear a helmet. Riders will be sent in groups of 20-25 to allow for optimal safety and enjoyment on the route. Organizers prefer that children under 12 not participate in this event in order to keep the ride moving along. Instead, children are encouraged to participate in the Bike Rodeo, CARAT Ride and the Poker Ride.

The Night Ride is sponsored by Europa Cycle and Ski the Cedar Falls Jaycees. Volunteers are needed to help with the luminaries that are placed on the trail. To help with this event, please contact Steve Jackson at 319-290-8171.

POKER RIDE: GREAT RIDE, GREAT PEOPLE, GREAT PRIZES!

The Poker Ride will take place again this year on Sunday, August 14 at 11:00am. Mulligan's Brick Oven Grill and Pub sponsors this event and once again there will be a variety of prizes given away donated from area businesses.

The Poker Ride has a $10 entry fee ($5 if you wear your 2005 Cedar Trails Festival T-Shirt). There is no fee for children in trailers or bike seats. Registration begins at 11:00 a.m. at Mulligan's, 205 E. 18th Street. Riders will receive their first clue and trail map upon registration then the hunt begins. Clues will lead the riders around the Cedar Trails System to five various locations. At these locations riders will draw a card and return to Mulligan's to play their hand in poker. For the ambitious riders a sixth bonus location is provided to attempt to improve their poker hand.

Participants are welcome to enjoy Mulligan's special deals before, during, and after the ride. The prizes will be awarded after the riders return from their destinations.