Planning is under way for the first-ever Rock N Ride bicycle ride and concert hosted by the Greater Cleveland Chamber of Commerce. Sign-ups for vendor spaces for this free, family-friendly event are trickling in, but many more are needed before the Nov. 10 event at Stancil Park, according to Jim Carson, the chamber’s chief operating officer.
“We have a total of 90 vendor spaces available and have only filled about 15 right now. We still have room for food trucks, too,” Carson said.
Carson is hoping to have a wide variety of food options by the day of the event and is actively seeking food truck operators who serve Mexican food, Gyros, sausage on a stick and other options. Currently food truck vendors signed up will offer barbecue, fried catfish, crepes and funnel cakes. Food vendor space is $50 each and an additional $15 for electricity.
The craft and business booths are $60 each with an additional $15 for electricity, and must be reserved in advance by filling out a form with the chamber office. Some of the vendors already signed up will be selling items that would be perfect for Christmas gifts, such as ceramics, Scentsy and other items.
Cyclists who are interested in riding can choose between two rides — a 60-mile ride and a 28-mile ride. Both rides take cyclists through the picturesque rural areas outside of Cleveland. The fee per rider is $45 and includes snacks and drinks along the ride, and a goody bag.
Rides start and end at Stancil Exposition Center, across from the Cleveland Civic Center at 210 Peach Ave., Cleveland. Parking will be available at the civic center and at Cleveland Senior Citizens Center, 220 Peach Ave.
Riders and the general public are invited to attend a series of concerts that will be held throughout the day at the Exposition Center. The concert line-up includes performances from Zach Aaron (Americana-style music), The Lime Traders (rock music), Shane Porter and the Shady Trees (country music), Satisfied Drive (classic rock), Kayla Ray (country) and Vito (Tejano). In between bands will be performances from Cleveland High School’s jazz band and the High Steppers, a local dance troupe. The Tarkington Middle School choir will kick off the concert starting at 10:30 a.m. All concerts are free.
Gates will open at 10 a.m. except for the Log Cabin, which will open for breakfast between 6:15 to 7 a.m. Lanora Purvis and the ladies of Heaven’s Army Home of Amazing Grace will be offering typical breakfast fare to raise funds for the non-profit.
Free carnival games and activities will be set up for children. Carson said he is hoping that local churches, organizations and businesses will help operate some of the carnival games. The fee to host a game is $15.
Volunteers are needed to help man care stations for the riders and to help the chamber with operations inside Stancil Exposition Center. If you are interested in volunteering, please call Jim Carson or Wanda Meza at the chamber office at 281-592-8786 or send email to info@clevelandtxchamber.com.
By Vanesa Brashier, editor@BluebonnetNews.com