More than 2,500 bicyclists will be riding their way into Defiance next week.
The Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure (GOBA) will spend Thursday in the city, and local officials are making big plans for their arrival on Wednesday.
“We have 2,600 people coming and not everyone is going to have the same taste, that’s why we’re having different things for them to do,” said Cindy Mack, director of the Defiance Development and Visitors Bureau.
Among the activities planned is a community festival from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday at Pontiac Park. Mack said the festival is the perfect time for members of the community and cyclists to get to know each other.
The festival will feature inflatables, a comedian, volleyball, a show by the Maumee Valley Ski Club on the Maumee River, a magician, food and more.
After the event, cyclists will return to Defiance College where they will be camping. An outdoor showing of the movie, “The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio,” will begin at 9:45 p.m. on campus for those who wish to attend.
Before the festival, there will be lots of things for GOBA cyclists to do including a tour of the fortgrounds and Defiance Public Library and stop in at the Northtowne Mall, Putt-Putt Golf and Games, YMCA and downtown Defiance.
Additionally, Defiance familiarization tours will be offered via shuttle bus from 2-6 p.m.
On Thursday, a variety of activities are planned for cyclists. These include tours of AuGlaize Village, Riverside Chapel, swimming at Kingsbury, fortgrounds tours and more. There will also be a historical program at 1 p.m. on Fort Defiance.
Sales and demonstrations downtown will be held throughout the day for cyclists and residents alike.
At 4 p.m. Northtowne Mall will hold a fiesta meal for cyclists.
At night several activities are open to the public and cyclists. These include a performance by the Bryan Community Band at 7 p.m. at Kingsbury Park as part of the Music in the Park Series and a performance of “Mousetrap” by the Fort Defiance Players at 7 p.m. at Schomburg Auditorium.
Cyclists will leave Defiance on Friday as they make their way back to Norwalk to finish the adventure.
GOBA’s goal is to provide recreation and allow individuals to learn more about Ohio. It is not a race. It is organized by Columbus Outdoor Pursuits, a volunteer-based organization.
Enjoying communities around Ohio is one of GOBA’s missions.
Every year bicyclists cover a different region of Ohio. On average, cyclists ride 50 miles a day. Approximately 3,000 cyclists participate each year.
This year’s route starts Saturday in Norwalk and proceeds to Elmore, then onto Bowling Green. From Bowling Green, cyclists will journey to Defiance and Fostoria before returning to Norwalk on June 27.
