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Rep. Joe Sosnowski ‘s Kids Bike-A-Thon
ANNE EICKSTADT PHOTO The Journal
“Go!” and Rep. Joe Sosnowski starts the kids on laps around the path at Midway Village during his 2020 Bike-A-Thon.
By Anne Eickstadt
At the 2020 Bike-A-Thon at Midway Village on Saturday, July 25 from 9 to 11 a.m., kids could challenge themselves to see how many times they were able to ride around the course on their bike. Costumes were optional for this Halloween in July community event, with prizes awarded for best costume and best bike decorating based on age groups.
“We’ve had our kids’ fairs for six years running,” said Rep. Joe Sosnowski. “So we wanted to do something – conscious of COVID-19 – but outdoors for kids that promotes fitness.
“Just a fun time for kids and their families to come out and get some biking in. We wanted a bike theme so it would be spread out on a good path in a safe area here at Midway.”
Event attendees received a ticket for bringing donation items such as new baby items or non-perishable foods and additional raffle tickets could be purchased as well. Raffle prizes include new bikes for kids and gift baskets. Complimentary State of Illinois bike trail maps and brochures on state programs were also available and special guest Madison Hawn, Miss Teen Illinois 2020, made an appearance during the morning’s bike-a-thon.
Everyone received a grab bag sponsored by SwedishAmerican Health, Mercy Health Care, OSF Hospital, McDonald’s, and Don Carter Lanes. Pepsi Co. provided the water bottles and cooler for them and 1/2 Price Books donated the books that were free at the event.
Sponsors included:
Pat Murphy donated two bikes; Subway donated three bikes, and three helmets; 815 Realty Group donated one bike; Advanced Disposal donated two bikes and two helmets; Butera Law Offices donated one electric scooter; Illinois Bank and Trust donated a gift basket which included a Google Nest; 815 Rockford Pride Basket was sponsored by: The Rivets, Art Deli, The Parks District, Midway Village, and Go Rockford; and a Pizza Making Basket was sponsored by Lino’s Restaurant who donated the makings for pizza at home.
The Pregnancy Care Center and Rockford Rescue Mission were the recipients of the money raised from the raffle.
Rockford Bike Company had a van out to air up tires and do repairs as needed. It was attended by Matthew Vincent, who said, “It’s great to see the kids outside and experiencing the joys of bicycles. Bikes are the first step of freedom as a kid. It’s all good.”
Kids could win prizes for Best Costume, Best Bike Decorating, and most laps around the path. Parents were able to either ride along with their kids or touch base with the riders as they went past on another lap.
The Parks District Police and Rockford Fire Department were out at Midway for kids to see their vehicles and to meet the community. The police chatted with participants and the firefighters hosed down the kids after they were done riding.
Field games like bags, hula hooping, Frisbee Tic-Tac-Toe, Noodle Tag, a soccer kick, potato sack races, and more were available for kids of all ages to enjoy along with on-site trick-or-treating. Between the riding, the grab bags, games, trick-or-treating, and prizes, everyone went home with something, the kids had a thoroughly good time, and families were able to share an experience in the great outdoors.
