The Tour de Rock, Cops for Cancer ride begins on Vancouver Island on Saturday, Sept. 22 in Port Alice. From there, the riders will be biking down-Island over 14 days.
Their ride comes to Sidney on Thurs., Oct. 4 and the town is getting ready to throw them a parade.
This week, Sidney town crier Kenny Podmore and local Tour de Rock event co-ordinator Julie Harman officially announced the start of the Tour — and what the Town of Sidney has in store on Oct. 4.
As well, this Sunday, Sept. 30, the Old Black Rum band plays a Tour de Rock, by donation, fundraiser in Beacon Park from non to 4 p.m.
“We will be throwing the riders a parade,” Harman said of the Oct. 4 event, adding it will include local police, firefighters and paramedics.
On Oct. 4 at around 3:20 p.m., local emergency vehicles will fall in behind the 18 riders, representing Island police, military, media and more, and make their way from the Mary Winspear Centre to Beacon Park.
Bringing up the rear of the parade, said Harman, will be 60 or so bike riders from local elementary schools.
“We revived this part last year,” she said of the kids’ part in the event. “It was a huge success and the kids just loved it.”
The parade is only one part of the day’s Tour de Rock events. Starting at 11:30 a.m. in Beacon Park, there will be entertainment (in the works, said Harman), head shaves and a big barbecue. It runs to 4 p.m. The event, of course, is looking for people’s donations to the cause. Harman said this will be her 15th year co-ordinating the local Cops for Cancer event.
Money raised at Island-wide Tour de Rock events — as well as from pledges over the 1,000 km ride itself — goes to help fight childhood cancer. Since 1998, the Tour has raised more than $16.6 million for the Canadian Cancer Society. For details, visit www.tourderock.ca.
Concert for cancer research
SIDNEY — This Sunday, Sept. 30, the band Old Black Rum will be performing in Beacon Park to help raise funds for the Tour de Rock Cops for Cancer ride.
The show runs from 12 noon to 4 p.m. and is a by-donation only event.