The Annual Bike Rodeo

An Optimist Youth Safety Program

Beginning back in 1985, the Club hosted an annual bicycle rodeo at vaious locations in the Stanley Park area of Kitchener drawing between 150 to 300 participants (depending on the weather).

Each year's event featured complimentary refreshments for all participants, gifts and door prizes, bike checkups and free tune-ups as needed. Additional volunteer help was often provided by the Kitchener Boy Scouts Troup #1 and entertainment was often provided by Erick Traplin. Face-painters and attractions such as jumping castles, slides and various activities & games were also featured on many occasions over the years. 

Each year the Club hosted the Rodeo at no cost to participants and attendees!  Prizes were often donated or, at least, purchased at substantial discounts, Expenses were covered by donations, sponsorships provided by local businesses and the Club covering any shortfall.

For the last several years of its operation, the event was co-hosted by the Stanley Park Community Association and held in the Stanley Park Community Centre parking lot at the corner of Ottawa St. and Franklin Blvd. The 2018 Rodeo was held in conjunction with a ball hockey event and ran later into the afternoon than the usual 1 p.m. 

 The photo below is from the 1995 Bike Rodeo.

The links below provide memories from many of the rodeos the Club held over the years:

The winner of the bicycle (Junior Division) at the 2016 Bike Rodeo, shown with his new bike & helmet. Congratulation Michael!