More than 700 cyclists are expected this weekend in Mathews at the 12th annual Bikes, Bands and the Bay Festival.
Registration for the main event begins at 4 p.m. Friday at Thomas Hunter Middle School. The event was formerly called the Tour de Chesapeake.
On Friday evening, there will be a bike safety rodeo, sponsored by the Mathews County Sheriff’s Office, Mathews Family YMCA and the Boys and Girls Club of Mathews. The free rodeo for children will take place at the Boys and Girls Club, with participants completing the course receiving free helmets.
Also on Friday evening, the Bay School Community Arts Center on Main Street will host its annual pig roast. It’s a free event, with a $5 suggested donation. Call 725-1278 for more information.
Cycling routes for the weekend’s main event open at 8 a.m. Saturday. "Routes go from Mobjack to Gwynn’s Island to New Point and all points in between," said Lynda Smith Greve, local coordinator.
There will be a four-mile family ride Saturday starting from Thomas Hunter Middle School at 9:30 a.m. It will be led and followed by auxiliary members of the Mathews County Sheriff’s Office.
Community events Saturday to coincide with the main bike ride include the Mathews Farmers’ Market on the court green from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and free art demonstrations at the Mathews Art Gallery from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Mobjack Kayaking, a new company in Mathews, will rent kayaks at Williams Wharf from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. The cost is $10 (cash only) for 30 minutes for those age 10 years and older.
The Mathews Rotary Club will hold its annual Sausage and Beer Fest from 3-7 p.m. behind Mathews Memorial Library. Tickets at $25 are available at the gate. Music will be provided by Mercy Creek, with 20 Chesapeake Bay microbrews available. Call David Fitch at 725-8371 for reservations.
Starting a little later, the White Dog Inn will host a wine-tasting from 4-7 p.m. The cost is $10 per person with wine costing $5 a glass. Jazz music will be provided by Matt Crim and Friends; fruit and special appetizers will be provided. Call 725-7680 for reservations.
Saturday afternoon at 4:30, Mathews Film Society will host the first of two showings of the film documentary, "The Economics of Happiness," on the third floor of the Halcyon Building. There is a $5 suggested donation and refreshments will be for sale. The second screening will be at 7:30.
Finally, Donk’s Theater will present its country music concert at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.
Sunday
Community events Sunday include "Ride Recovery Yoga" from 7:30-8:30 a.m. in the Halcyon Building. The fee is $12, and participants are encouraged to bring a yoga mat or towel.
A full hot breakfast will be available from 8-9:30 a.m. at Westville Christian Church. For $5, participants will be fed eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, fruit, sweet breads, cold cereal, milk, juice and coffee. Reservations are requested but walk-ins are welcome.
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation will host a ride Sunday starting from The Poddery at Foster heading to Mobjack. That ride will include a historic narrative about Mobjack village, Greve said.
Finally, Chesapeake Board Sports will present stand-up paddle board demonstrations from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Williams Wharf Landing. Half-hour lessons and tours will be available for $20, with hour-long lessons and tours for $40. Walk-ins are welcome.
For more information on the 2011 Bikes, Bands and the Bay Festival, contact Greve at 725-9685 or mclc@3bubbas.com.