Kids, get your helmets on and kick up your kickstands as the Pekin Kiwanis Club gets ready for their annual Bike Rodeo in memory of long-time Pekin Kiwanian, Ralph T. Brower.

On June 7th from 11am to 1pm, outside the newer Pekin Insurance building parking lot at the corner of Broadway St. and Parkway Drive (120 North Parkway Drive), children are invited to bring their own bikes and come out rain or shine to learn standard bicycle safety and participate in a bike course. Participants will go through stations starting with registration, helmet-fitting, and a bike check to ensure that seats and handlebars are at the appropriate height. Once the stations are completed, attendees will learn about bike safety and ride their bikes through a pattern that involves bobbing and weaving through cones and riding in straight lines. 

After children complete the bike course, they will have the opportunity to enter a drawing for a free bicycle. We will also be giving out bike helmets to participants (while supplies last), as well as other bicycle-related prizes. In addition to the bike rodeo, Kona Ice will be available, as well as ice cream from Prairie Farms. While waiting for the prize drawing at 1pm, children can have a balloon made just for them by our balloon artist!  Also, city, county, and state public safety members will be present in the form of police, firefighters, and EMT’s. Kids and community members alike are encouraged to check out the emergency vehicles and mingle with the heroes in uniform. 

Kids will need to have an adult present to participate, and we will have bikes of all sizes on hand for use on the bicycle course for those children who need one to participate. 

Special thanks to: Kiwanis Club of Pekin, Pekin Police Department, Pekin Fire Department, Tazewell County Sheriff's Department,  Pekin Park District, Illinois State Police, Advanced Medical Transport, Prairie Farms, and the Think First Program at OSF IL Neurological Institute.