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Fun and Adventure Abound at the Bikes, Bevs & Beats Festival

Resting in the shadow of Mt. Mansfield, Stowe, Vermont, features unmatched vistas and an abundance of activities to enjoy regardless of your travel season. Chartered back in 1763, Stowe was established here primarily due to ample opportunities for logging, farming and agriculture. That being said, people didn't begin to permanently live in the area untill the 1790’s.  

 

While Stowe grew steadily due to traditional regional industries during the first half of the 19th Century, change was imminent. By 1850, the town was starting to establish itself as a budding tourist destination, due to the majestic mountain landscape and the ease of transportation to the area. During the early 20th Century as WWI raged on, the city began to transform again. Swedish settlers introduced skiing to the residents and Stowe quickly transformed into a hub for skiing activities of all types, from recreational to professional training. Stowe currently has a population over 4,000 and remains one of the top places to visit in the entire Northeastern United States.  

 

When new festivals begin, the biggest hurdle is to put on a unique event that will appeal to a wide range of people. Bikes, Bevs & Beats has accomplished this in three short years and is only looking to grow. This one-of-a-kind event combines mountain biking, delicious beers, great music, and the friendly community of Stowe into an event with something for everyone. The festival kicks off with a huge block party, it’s great for all ages and funseekers. The event continues with group rides on an impressive network of scenic local trails. You will also find music, food and libations at various locations throughout town. Take your next adventure-themed vacation to another level and head to Stowe for an experience you won't forget.

 

ResortsandLodges.com got the chance to interview Evan Chismark, Executive Director of the Stowe Mountain Bike Club and Representative for Bikes, Bevs & Beats Festival, to talk about this fun and interactive event.

 

RAL: Tell me a little bit about the event.

EC: 2016 marks year number three for the Bikes, Bevs & Beats Festival, also known as B3. B3 is a town-wide event celebrating mountain biking and beer, with some good tunes mixed in. Last year we had between 200 and 300 attendees. We expect that number to grow quite a bit this year. B3 is a community-focused event that attracts people of all ages and ability levels.

 

RAL: What makes this event unique?  

EC: The marriage of Stowe's world class trail network, unmatched beer culture, mind-blowing scenery, and most importantly, the amazing community definitely gives us a unique feel. There is still no admission fee to attend B3. We wanted the festival to be a celebration that's open to everyone, to enable people to come to Vermont and enjoy some of the things that make this place so special. So many people in Stowe have worked so hard to make this event possible and it's amazing to be able to host a town-wide party where bikes and beer are the focus!

 

RAL: Take me through a day at the event?

EC: The weekend starts off with a kickoff block party on Friday. Park Street in downtown Stowe will be foot-traffic only to make room for all the vendors, beverage tastings, live music and activities for kids. Just make sure you register and get your B3 bracelet. Even though there's no admission fee, many of the specials in town are set up for B3 attendees only! After the Kickoff Party, we take to the streets for a Critical Mass ride, then a party at Piecasso Pizzeria and Lounge with bike raffle (a Giant Trance sized to fit the winner). Stowe has a great bike path that runs along the river so attendees can use that to return to town or their hotel via bike after the party and check out some of the other events going on along the way. Note: bring a handlebar or helmet mounted light if you plan to be out after dark!

 

Saturday is packed with group rides for all ages and ability levels, as well as tastings and music all over town. The group rides are designed to fit the theme of the weekend and allow attendees to see as much or as little of Stowe's trails as they want. Also, if you're just interested in a short ride, there's plenty of music, food, and beverage tasting going on around Stowe. Just make sure you leave some gas in the tank for the apres activities: the not-to-be-missed Trike Race starts at 4:00 pm at Sushi Yoshi, followed by a live, outdoor show at the Rusty Nail (the Shady Trees), including some homegrown Vermont mountain bike movies.

 

RAL: What can an attendee expect to find for local lodging?

EC: Stowe has many unique lodging options from quintessential Vermont bed and breakfasts, to more traditional inn-type accommodations.

 

RAL: What does the event mean to the community?

EC: It's a way for businesses and organizations to work together to create something bigger than ourselves. People come from all over the world to visit Stowe, but it's rarely for a single town-wide purpose like this. At B3, the party is everywhere. So in that sense, it's yet another way that this amazing community has come together, just for the sake of sharing Stowe with anyone that wants to come check it out. The volunteers and sponsors that have stepped up over the years to help make this event grow is staggering. Then again, maybe it's just an excuse to get together with our buddies, make a bunch of new friends, ride bikes, and drink beer all weekend!

 

RAL: Does the event support a special cause in the community?

EC: The community is the special cause. Again, since there's no admission fee, part of the goal is for the mountain bike community and the Stowe Mountain Bike Club to help facilitate an event that allows local businesses to capture some of the traffic that visits Stowe to experience our amazing trail network and beer culture.

 

RAL: Why should people come to your event?

EC: If you're a mountain biker, beer aficionado, music fan, or any combination thereof, you'll honestly never find another event as cool as this one. This town churns out some of the best riders in the country as a result of the unreal terrain we have. It plays home to some of the world's best beers, and just so happens to be one of the most beautiful places around. There's literally a bit of something for everyone, and the best part is, it's everywhere you go.


For more information about Bikes, Bevs & Beats Festival, please visit their website.

Photo Courtsey of Leslie Gauff and Evan Chismark