Get ready, West Chester- the Criterium is coming.
But, don't worry-the Criterium is not some apocalyptic event. A criterium is a bicycle race of a fixed number of laps held on a short, closed course over public roads that are normally open to traffic.
On July 7, West Chester will host the Eighth Annual Iron Hill Twilight Criterium and Community Festival with activities scheduled for the entire day. The Iron Hill Twilight Criterium is a professional cycling event that is part of the USA CRITS Championship series.
Starting at 6 p.m. Saturday, more than 100 professional cyclists will race 60 laps around a one-mile circuit in downtown West Chester with the start and finish lines at Gay and High streets. The Amateur Men's Criterium is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. followed by the Pro-Am Women's Criterium at 6:45 p.m. and the Pro Men's Criterium at 7:45 p.m.
A new addition to the program will kick off early in the morning at Bayard Rustin High School. The Rothman Institute Amateur Qualifiers will be held from 8:30 a.m.-3:45 p.m. The races will determine the field for the Iron Hill Amateur Men's Final to be held later that day in downtown West Chester.
Actually, the first race in downtown West Chester will take off at 5 p.m. It's the West Chester Dental Arts Kids' Race with kids from ages 3-10 racing for free.
The "Community Festival" and the "Market Street Block Party" will both open at 4 p.m. The festival and the block party will feature a variety of family fun activities including a kids' zone, food vendors and live entertainment.
On Sunday, riders of all levels will enjoy recreational bike tours starting at Hoopes Park in West Chester and traveling through the countryside surrounding West Chester. Sign-up begins at 11 a.m. and participants can join as many tours as they wish.
There are seven tours scheduled for this Sunday -- "Parks and Alleys of West Chester Tour", "Historical Buildings of West Chester Tour", "Historical Areas outside of West Chester Tour," "3M Small Town Tour: Marshallton, Mortonville, Modena," "Quaker Tour: Friends School, Westtown School and Tanguy Homestead," "Stargazers Winery Tour" and "Dick Sabo's Hill Hell Tour."
What: Eighth Annual Iron Hill Twilight Criterium and Community Festival
When: July 7, 4 p.m.
Where: Gay and High streets and vicinity, downtown West Chester
Tickets: Free
Information: 610-696-4046 or www.ironhilltwilightcriterium.com
