Hey Tempe, looks like a bike and beer festival is headed your way. No, you aren't seeing double (though Tour de Fat 2k14 is right around the corner, too) -- the brand new Biktoberfest will launch at The Handlebar Tempe in Mill Avenue and combine elements of Oktoberfest with bike races and more.
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The first-ever Biketoberfest will begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 27, in the Centerpoint courtyard behind Handlebar and last until 2 a.m. Just what will you do for 13 Mill-Avenue-lovin' hours?
For brew snobs, the event promises beer trucks, beer tents, and beer garden-style areas for drinking featuring local and national craft breweries including Bell's Brewery, Deschutes Brewery, Four Peaks Brewing Company, New Belgium Brewery, Odell Brewing Company and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. Schreiner's sausages and other food pairings will also be available.
Gearheads can participate in charity bike races, where grownups will ride kids' bikes against each other on a set course. Two such grownups include Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell and Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, who will race against each other for city pride.
If you're not the racing kind, you can also try your hand at the "dunk-a-cop" tank, stein holding competition, and a sausage eating contest. Local DJs and German bands will provide tunes at the event.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Navy League of Arizona and St. Vincent de Paul. Although the event is free, fans and participants are encouraged to RSVP in advance and register their teams for specific bike races. The For more information on the event, visit the Handlebar's website.
