Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce Newsletter May 2018 | Page 9

NEWS RELEASE
April 20, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Information:
John Hendricks, Executive Director
Office: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Elroy-Sparta Trail Celebration Announcement
Sparta, WI – There will be a celebration of the return of bikes to the Elroy-Sparta State Trail on Saturday, May 5, at
the Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce building, 111 Milwaukee Street, Sparta, featuring a variety of activities
throughout the day. Although people are welcome to use the state trails throughout the year, the Chamber
celebration follows the annual May 1 st opening of the three tunnels of the Elroy-Sparta Trail.
The day’s activities begin with a group bike ride from Norwalk to Sparta, traveling through tunnel #3. Bikers can fuel
up with coffee and donuts beginning at 8:00 AM at the Sparta depot and then take advantage of a free shuttle
service from Sparta to Norwalk at 8:30 AM. Following the bike ride back to Sparta, the ceremonial bike trail ribbon
cutting takes place at 11:00 AM followed by the dedication of the new bike repair station.
Following the ribbon cutting, the public is invited to visit the vendor booths which will include massages from M&T
Performance Chiropractic, a hands on project with Grantie Anne from Grantie Anne’s Studio, a display from the Deke
Slayton Space and Bike Museum, display bikes from Western Wisconsin Wheels, Spin 2 Win game with Kwik Trip,
coupons and candles from Candles by Kim, Bike Bingo with the Sparta Area Young Professionals, knee hockey with
the Sparta Youth Hockey Association, information from Scenic Bluffs Pest Control, and an activity lead by the Boys
and Girls Club of Sparta. Additional vendors are welcome, but must contact the Chamber office to reserve a place.
In recognition of the Cinco de Mayo holiday, the Sparta Ambassadors will be serving street tacos for lunch. There will
also be a piñata game.
Daily and seasonal trail passes are available for purchase at the Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce during regular
business hours and will be on May 5. Cyclists 16 and older are required to have a state trail pass. A daily pass costs
$5.00 and a season’s pass costs $25.00.
The Elroy-Sparta State Trail is the first rails to trails conversation in the United States. An estimated 50,000 people
utilize the trail annually. Sparta is also the junction of the Elroy-Sparta Trail and the La Crosse River State Trail.
The Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to fostering community prosperity and improving the quality of
life through cooperation, promotion, education and active leadership, as well as enhancing economic benefits and
providing networking opportunities for members.
Our Mission: “Welcoming Businesses, Unifying the Community, Creating Possibilities”
For more information on the Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce’s services, activities, and programs, please visit:
http://www.bikesparta.com/ or call [phone].
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