The Town of Essex will celebrate Bike Month 2019 with a number of free events throughout the month of June.

Every year, communities across the country host Bike Month events to celebrate local cycling and recognize the importance of active transportation infrastructure. Bike Month events promote awareness of local cycling infrastructure and encourage citizens to get out and ride their community.

“In terms of cycling infrastructure, the Town of Essex has a bit of everything, from dedicated bike lanes and paved shoulders, to multi-use trails and greenways,” said Cynthia Cakebread, Manager of Recreation and Culture. “This year’s Bike Month events will help create awareness of the places to cycle and the sights to see while riding in our community.”

The Town will host two free community bike rides guided by Can-Bike certified staff:

• Colchester Community Ride on Sunday, June 9 starting at 3:00pm at Colchester Harbour. This beginner level ride will take cyclists on trails and roads in Colchester. A limited number of children’s bikes will be available to borrow from Town staff. Adult bikes will be available to rent from Farm Dog Cycles.
• Harrow Community Ride on Sunday, June 23 starting at 3:00pm at the Harrow and Colchester South Community Centre. This beginner level ride will take cyclists on trails and roads in Harrow. Bike Windsor Essex will also be on hand for a free Bike Rodeo, which teaches bike safety, from 1:00 until 3:00pm.

Those interested in taking a dip while cycling can also pedal the pool with a free SpinH2O class at the Essex Recreation Complex on June 19 (6:15-7:15pm), June 23 (8:00-8:45am), or June 26 (6:15-7:00pm). Pre-registration for all community rides and SpinH2O classes can be found online at www.essexconnect.ca

Local cyclists can also join in on the 6th Annual County Wide Active Transportation Celebration and Glow Walk-Ride on Friday, June 14 in Essex Centre. The event kicks off at 3pm at the Essex Civic Centre and finishes with an all-ages walk and leisurely Glow Ride.

Community members are encouraged to use the #EssexOnBikes hashtags on social media for a chance to win cycling prizes. Public posts using the hashtag on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram will automatically be entered into a random draw.

All members are invited to join the fun on June 24, 11am being healthy bingo in the cafe & 12pm BBQ Mix & Mingle at West Side Centre, 635 McEwan Ave. 

Celebrate Seniors' Month by showing support to LAF on Spirit Day June 12, 9am-4pm at West Side Centre, 635 McEwan Ave. $5 BBQ lunch. Dress in your best orange & blue! 

Back by popular demand, visitors can enjoy Adventure Bay Family Water Park Presented by WFCU Credit Union’s extended summer hours to the fullest with a convenient and affordable summer membership. For one low price, you can visit as often as you like from June 29 to Labour Day, September 2

• Guests under 42 inches tall: $40
• Guests 42 inches tall and over: $52
• Guest age 2 and under are free!
• Daily drop-in rates also available

To take advantage of the program, just drop by the park at 401 Pitt Street West in Windsor and inquire with the friendly front desk staff to get started.

Adventure Bay is open to vacationers and staycationers alike with extended hours, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day from June 29 to September 1. It’s open for a daytime shift, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Labour Day too, giving adventurers one last chance to make a splash before the school year returns.

For details on memberships, admission and more, visit the “Park Info” tab at www.adventurebay.ca or call 519-974-AQUA (2782).

The Rocket Mortgage Classic 5K Race will be held Sunday, June 23 in the heart of downtown Detroit starting at 8 a.m. Utilizing a fast, flat, out-and-back course, the race starts on Fort St. near Woodward Ave. and Campus Martius Park, and heads southwest on Fort St. before making a U-Turn at 18th St. and returning to the finish at Woodward.

Runners and walkers can register at www.raceroster.com/events/2019/23632/rocket-mortgage-classic-5k or by going to raceroster.com and searching for “Rocket Mortgage Classic.” Registration is limited to the first 3,000 runners or walkers, with an early-bird price of $45 and a $5 discount available per registration for groups of four or more.

There will be water stations and entertainment throughout the route to keep participants hydrated and entertained for all five kilometers. All registered participants will receive a commemorative race T-shirt, and will be awarded a finisher’s medal upon crossing the finish line.

Runners are welcome to stick around for the after-party following the Rocket Mortgage Classic 5K in Campus Martius and Cadillac Square – featuring drink specials in at Parc restaurant and an OptiShot golf simulator that will let attendees virtually play the 15th hole of the Rocket Mortgage Classic. Jimmy Walker, a six-time winner on the PGA TOUR and the 2016 PGA Championship winner, will be on site to meet fans.

Race kit pickup will take place on Saturday, June 22 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in the main lobby of the One Campus Martius Building, located at 1050 Woodward Avenue. Runners should remember to bring their registration receipts (either printed or electronic), and can pick up kits for others in their group with those runners’ confirmations.

The race is sponsored by Cadillac, which will serve as the official pace car of the race, as well as JPMorgan Chase and Delta Dental. It is the first event in an eight-day stretch that will bring plenty of excitement to the area as the PGA TOUR holds a tournament within the city of Detroit for the first time ever.

While fans will get to watch up close as 156 of the world’s top professional golfers compete at historic Detroit Golf Club, the Rocket Mortgage Classic will be much more than a golf tournament, featuring fun and unique and events that will celebrate the people, places and spirit of Detroit from the fairways and greens of DGC to streets of downtown. For tickets and more information, visit www.RocketMortgageClassic.com and follow the event on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@RocketClassic.)

The Annual Windsor Classic International Tennis Federation Tournament is set to start Friday, June 14 at 9am. Athletes from multiple countries will be vying for championship wins to collect points and secure their spot at upcoming international events and the 2020 Paralympic Games.

Full rounds of tournament play in singles and doubles matches will play off in both the men’s and women’s divisions. Sanctioned by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), athletes have traveled for a weekend of competition to hone their skills on the court. Athletes attending are from Canada, the USA, Spain and Peru to name a few.

Parkside Tennis Club is the host venue for the event. It is organized annually by Jennifer Bellaire. Sponsorship partners are Tennis Canada, Xperience Home Healthcare.

OFFICIAL SCHEDULE: Friday June 14th, 9am start Saturday June 15th 9am start Sunday June 16th 9am start (Finals) Schedule subject to change

Free Day - National Indigenous Peoples Day

Location: Chimczuk Museum, 401 Riverside Drive West

Date: Friday, June 21, 2019

Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

FREE ADMISSION - Join us in celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day with FREE ADMISSION to the Chimczuk Museum on Friday, June 21st. Explore our Original Peoples Culture & Legacy Gallery to learn more about the rich history of the Indigenous groups in this area. There will be a guided tour of the Original Peoples Culture & Legacy Gallery starting at 2:00 PM.

Film Screening – RUMBLE: The Indians Who Rocked the World

Location: Chimczuk Museum, 401 Riverside Drive West on Saturday, June 15, 2PM

General Admission $5.50 (Family Rate of $16.00), Free to Museum Members, Status Card holders, and Museum Volunteer Group.

Join us for a special screening of the film: Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World in honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day. Directed by Catherine Bainbridge, Rumble highlights the role of Native Americans in popular music history. Visit www.rumblethemovie.com for more information about the film.

Friday, June 7 is a P.A. Day, and students are welcome to make the most of their day off at Adventure Bay Family Water Park Presented by WFCU Credit Union. Enjoy your mini-staycation in tropical style!

Special P.A. Day hours with 93.9 The River’s Playschool on site:

• Early Bird Hours: 10am-2pm (rotating attractions)
• Closed: 2pm-4pm
• Starlight Hours: 4pm-8pm (all attractions open)

Enjoy the rides and slides you know and love on a rotating schedule during the daytime Early Bird session, or visit us in the evening when all attractions will be fully open through the Starlight hours.

For details on rates, hours, attractions and more, visit www.adventurebay.ca or call 519-974-AQUA (2782).