The 2012 Community Tour celebrates those who give their hearts, time and skills to strengthen communities. The two-month program kicked off on May 12 in Miami and continues up the East Coast, closely following the route of the East Coast Greenway and culminating in Portland, Maine, on July 7, the International Day of Cooperatives. The Tour stops in eight cities along the route: Miami, Charleston, Durham, Fredericksburg, Wilmington, New York City, Providence and Portland. Events and activities vary by city, but the overall theme of cooperatives, community service and volunteerism is the hallmark of every celebration.
As part of the event, Recycle-A-Bike will be offering bike valet services, rides to attend the event and to accompany the riders of the entire ECGA route continue their journey on Monday July 2. Bike Newport and Rhode Island Bike Coalition will be operating a bike rodeo with trained Smart Cycling instructors on hand to assist with helmet fitting, basic bike check and riding skills activities.
Scheduled Rides:
Sunday 7/1: ride from India Point Park (Providence) to the Temple to Music (Roger Williams Park, Providence): 4.5 mi. Riders return on their own (no organized return ride). Leaving the India Point Park parking lot (opposite Wyndham Hotel) at 11 am. Helmets and waiver required to join the ride (waiver available on site).
Monday 7/2: ride from India Point Park to Cumberland/Lincoln with the Cabot riders – to the Pratt Dam on Blackstone River Bikeway, then return. 20 mile round trip. Total time approx. 2 hrs, including some sightseeing time. Leaving the India Point Park parking lot (opposite Wyndham Hotel) at 8:30 am. Helmets and waiver required to join the ride (waiver available on site).
Full Press Release follows.
PROVIDENCE: The seventh stop on the tour celebrates the local, healthy and cooperative spirit of Rhode Island. Attendees will watch bees make honey, artists make jewelry, worms make compost and Cabot make cheese. Other activities include painting banks with RI Credit Union, crafts with Craftland artists, making music with the Extraordinary Rendition Band and Veggie Twister with Farm Fresh Rhode Island. Entertainment includes Music One, Newport Jazz, Burundian Drummers, and State Ballet of Rhode Island. Pawtucket Red Sox mascot Paws and the Big Nazo performers will also be on hand. The event is free and open to the public.
WHEN: Sunday, July 1, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
WHERE: Temple to Music, Roger Williams Park, Providence
WHY: The farm-family owners of Cabot Creamery Cooperative are proud of their cooperative roots. Founded in 1919, our farmers have always been an integral part of the communities they serve, supporting the places where they live and do business. The Community Tour coincides with the 2012 International Year of Cooperatives and is designed both to enable Cabot and its partners to promote the virtues of volunteerism—and to support the communities in which we live on a far greater scale. By honoring those who give selflessly to their communities, the 2012 Community Tour aims to encourage others to do the same.
WHO: The 2012 Community Tour was created by Cabot Creamery Cooperative and fellow sponsors and supporters, including 2012 International Year of Cooperatives, AARP Create The Good, Credit Union National Association (CUNA), East Coast Greenway Alliance (ECGA), HandsOn Network, Marriott and National Life Group. Providence event sponsors and participants include Farm Fresh Rhode Island, Southside Community Land Trust, Rhody Fresh, the City of Providence, Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, Rhode Island Bicycle Coalition, Recycle-a-Bike, the Steel Yard, Craftland, Aquidneck Honey, the International Institute and 30 more wonderful organizations.