BAYarts' new Bikes & Outdoor Festival

BAYarts is hosting its inaugural Bikes & Outdoor Festival on May 20. Photo by Lori Kubiak

Come celebrate the great outdoors at BAYarts on Saturday, May 20. Vendors will be on the theme of bike and outdoor gear as well as wellness services. The event will feature live music, food and drinks. 

This marks the first year for the Bikes & Outdoor Festival, created after BAYarts board member Michael Gleydura suggested the event. 

Gleydura's passion for cycles extends as a prominent theme he's had throughout his life. "I've been riding bikes forever, and I was in the bike industry for a long time. It's always been a passion of mine and part of me," he said. More than that, "it's a lifestyle and a feeling."

As an avid cycler who gets out on his bike three to four times a week, he cites fun as the biggest motivation for bike lovers. "It's the fun of exploring that makes you feel like a little kid, the same feeling you get when you're hiking in the woods."  

Pam Mills, who heads up special projects at BAYarts, says she's excited to help show all the Cleveland area has to offer for wellness, sports, body, soul and art. Mills has been busy lining up new vendors for this event, reaching out all over Cleveland. "There will be cycles, camping and fishing people, runners, rowing, yoga demo's..." she explained about the plans for the big day.

After taking sessions of the BAYarts Writer's Salon with Susan Mangan, Mark Looney wrote and published a book called "A Path Through Ohio." He will be there with his cycling-based book about rides through the great state. And perhaps there is no more lovelier spot alongside Lake Erie than BAYarts and Huntington Beach. 

Gleydura cites the location of BAYarts as one of the other perfect reasons for the event's creation. "The location is a big part of it. You're in the Metroparks, you have this beautiful nature reserve, you have all this cool art, murals, handmade furniture and the lake breeze ... it all feels natural and good when you're up here."

So come be a part of the day, which starts (rain or shine) at 11 a.m., and goes until 3 p.m. Ride your bike, or enjoy free parking. This is a free event to attend, and friendly dogs are welcome. 

Jessica Stockdale

Jessica Stockdale is the Marketing Manager at BAYarts.

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Volume 9, Issue 9, Posted 9:56 AM, 05.02.2017