New Belgium's Press Release for The Tour de Fat in Washington DC on June 1st

 New Belgium Brewing’s “Tour de Fat” Rolls into Washington, D.C. on June 1 for a Day of Bikes, Beer and Bemusement
Don’t Miss Headlining Acts Beats Antique and The Moth – True Stories Told Live!
Tour de Fat Stage 3              New Belgium Logo 2

Bananas in Tempe 3    IMG_2527 
Ft. Collins, CO, May 16, 2013 – If dressing freaky, riding bikes, listening to bands and drinking beer are things you like, then don’t miss the most FUN fundraiser around…Tour de Fat is coming back to town! New Belgium Brewing, maker of Fat Tire Amber Ale and other award-winning beers, is bringing the 14th annual Tour de Fat to Washington, D.C. on Saturday, June 1 in Yards Park.

Gather up your friends, family and neighbors and come enjoy eclectic entertainment and stellar beer, all while helping local bicycle nonprofits raise funds. The event is free, yet all proceeds from beer and merchandise sales and donations from parade participants will help make Washington, D.C. a better place to ride a bike. Follow Tour de Fat’s 12-city adventure on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TourDeFat.
To properly kick-start the festival, Tour de Fat begins with a giant bicycle parade that weaves through city streets. Each parade route is designed for people of all skill levels; everyone is welcome and colorful costumes are encouraged. For the rest of the afternoon, the stages heat up with world-class acts like Beats Antique and The Moth- True Stories Told Live and the park becomes a celebration unlike any other.

Kids of all ages can ride funky bikes, eat delicious fare, relax in the grass, and participate in games and activities such as a “Thousand Person Dance Contest”, which will determine the winner of a 2013 New Belgium Cruiser Bike. Everyone 21 and older can sample new and classic favorites from New Belgium, including the brewery’s flagship brew, Fat Tire, this summer’s seasonal, Rolle Bolle, and selections from the acclaimed Lips of Faith series.

Tour De Fat is where everyone can enjoy the unexpected,” said Matt Kowal, New Belgium Brewing’s Tour de Fat Impresario. “It’s a festival for all ages and stages of life, from young bike lovers to seasoned beer lovers and everyone in between. We guarantee you’ll be inspired by interactive art, music and comedy performances for the year to come!”

In every Tour de Fat city, one brave role model will step on stage to trade in his or her car keys and pledge to live car-free for one year. Each swapper is awarded a stipend to buy their own commuter bike and receives rock star status when the crowd goes wild in support of their commitment. We’re now on the hunt for a swapper in Washington, D.C.! Car-for-Bike Swappers are chosen after submitting an application describing why they are ready to give up their vehicle for the gift of two wheels. To apply, visit: www.newbelgium.com/tour-de-fat.  

Tour de Fat seeks to leave as small an environmental imprint as possible. New Belgium partners with recycOil to use biofuels from recycled cooking oil to power the festival’s transportation, stages, sound, food trucks and more. The stage is decked out in recycled materials; attendees are encouraged to ride bikes or carpool; and recycle and compost receptacles are available throughout to help divert waste from landfills.
Date:                                      
Saturday, June 1

Location:                              
Yards Park

Parade Registration:                      
10:00 a.m.

Ride Times:                         
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Entertainment/Revivalation:                     
12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Headliners:
Beats Antique (http://beatsantique.com) 
Experience how a marching band groove crashes into bluesy folk chords only to be accompanied by electronic beats and Middle Eastern melodies.

The Moth – True Stories Told Live (http://themoth.org)
A rare, midday, broad-daylight Moth show. Come gather 'round! The show will feature four stories told by prizewinning Moth storytellers brought from headquarters and two local stories told by...maybe you?

Also Performing:
Le Tigre Tent
 (http://www.littlebigfuntime.com- Vaudeville, Music, Magic and Mayhem
Scot Nery (http://jugglegood.com) - Comedian, Juggler and Contortionist
Honeymoon Cabaret (http://www.daredevilchicken.com/honeymoon.html) - A vaudevillian feast of comic proportions
John Higby (http://www.johnhigby.com) - Yo-yo performing artist
Batala (http://www.batalawashington.com) - An AfroBrazilian Samba Reggae Drumming band

Benefitting:                          
Washington Area Bicyclist Association (http://www.waba.org)
Black Women Bike DC (http://blackwomenbikedc.tumblr.com)
Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling (http://www.fabb-bikes.org)
Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE) (http://www.more-mtb.org)
Price:
Admission – FREE!
Parade – Suggested donation of $5 or more
Beer – $5 for a 16 oz. pour
See www.facebook.com/TourDeFat for the Tour de Fat credo, schedules, videos and to submit an entry to swap your gas-guzzler for a fancy new bicycle.

About New Belgium Brewing Company
New Belgium Brewing, makers of Fat Tire Amber Ale and a host of Belgian-inspired beers, is recognized as one of Outside Magazine’s Best Places to Work and one of the Wall Street Journal’s Best Small Businesses. The 100 percent employee owned brewery is a Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Business as designated by the League of American Bicyclists, and one of World Blu’s most democratic U.S. businesses. In addition to Fat Tire, New Belgium brews eight year round beers; Ranger IPA, Rampant Imperial IPA, Shift Pale Lager, Sunshine Wheat, 1554 Black Ale, Blue Paddle Pilsener, Abbey Belgian Ale and Trippel. Learn more atwww.newbelgium.com.

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