Events to welcome BAK participants were impressive

The Friday, June 14 activities in Holton that welcomed the 825 or so bicycle riders from across the country in the Biking Across Kansas event were a great success.

Congratulations and thanks to all those involved in planning out the details of all the activities from the bicycle-themed displays visible throughout the town to the food vendors, to the live music and beer garden to the breakfast options served the next morning as the BAK participants prepared to pedal on east to Atchison for the final day of the ride.

Many members of the BAK event entourage that included friends and family who traveled along behind in vehicles to provide support for the riders said Holton had been the most wecolming community of all the welcoming communities along the BAK route this year. That was a great compliment!

Some of the BAK participants said they felt like they had received celebrity-type welcomes and really appreciated the encouragements given to them by residents of all ages as they rode into town.

Later in the evening - at the town square “block party’’ that featured a Holton Community Hospital dunk tank, numerous food vendors serving hamburgers, hot dogs and sloppy joes among other food items, the live music and the beer garden – the BAK participants said Holton made them feel right at home.

The BAK participants also seemed well aware of the economic impact that 825-plus visitors to a small town can make. Some were even apologetic that - on the final evening of the ride across the state - they felt too exhausted to shop the local stores as much as they would have liked to.

The Friday June weather was pleasant and it looked like everyone was having a good time with the Holton town square buildings as the Norman Rockwell-like, small town America backdrop. The BAK entourage all seemed to be nice people, too, as they participated in this healthy-but-sometimes-grueling bike riding event.

This was definitely one of the top community social events of the year! It was good to give so many nice visitors a positive impression of the place we call home. 

The Holton Recorder

109 W. Fourth St.
Holton, KS 66436
Phone: 785-364-3141
 

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