RISON - The inaugural Crusin' Cleveland County Bicycle Ride has officially been set for Saturday, June 17, Darren Austin, director of the event, has announced.
Austin, in coordination with Rison Mayor Charles Roberts, hosted the first planning meeting Monday evening to get the wheels turning.
"I am excited to be working with Darren to make this a fun event for everyone in Cleveland County," Roberts said.
Austin is a county native from the Woodlawn area who has worked in parks and recreation for Central Arkansas for 28 years.
"Mayor Roberts asked if I would be interested and it grew from there," Austin said. "I have organized many other events and thought it would be fun to help showcase my home county!" Members of the Kickstart Cleveland County Community Development Initiative action groups were in attendance and will help facilitate the event across the county.
"I am simply one of many who will make this happen," said Austin.
Roberts said additional help will be needed from local fire departments to provide safety services, and volunteers from local churches and communities to set up rest stops along the routes.
Though routes are still being confirmed, Roberts said there will be a separate "City Ride" trail around Rison that will take riders through town, around city parks and more.
The bike ride will coincide with Juneteenth festivities being planned in Powell Park, as well as local productions from the Cleveland County Community Theater and others.
Riders will begin and end their ride at the Pioneer Village, which will also be the site of the Pioneer Village Trade Days and Farmers Market, being organized by Greg Jaggers to launch that same day. This new market is an expansion of the Rison Farmers Market to feature produce, lawn and garden supplies and more.
"Cleveland County has so much going on," said Austin.
Roberts said more information about all of...
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