WABA's BikeFest

BikeFest will be held at Eastern Market from 8 p.m. to midnite on Friday. This is a chance to mingle with fellow cyclists, bid on silent auction items, check out the latest Bikebuild entries, and support WABA. Tickets are $45 for WABA members, $55 for non-members.

WABA is positively jazzed to present this year’s BikeFest and for your pleasure, we invite you to pedal back in time and relive the jazz age!

For one night only, we’re turning DC’s Eastern Market into a bicycling speakeasy, so spread the word. Whether you’re a WABA member or not, come on down! Flappers, bootleggers, every day Joes and Joans will find joy and friends of all sorts in an unhurried evening of jazz, drink, food, treats, and more as we celebrate our victories and raise some funds.

As you’re perusing (and pursuing) the silent auction items and splurging on raffle tickets, we will have some splendid hors d’oeuvres to snack on and a secret specialty drink to toss back. To complete the experience, your eyes and ears will be treated to the The Jolley Brothers and the Brian Settles Quartet… and some surprise entertainment.

Last year’s successful Bikebuild contest is back, and our competitors (Papillon Cycle, ThreePenny Bikes, and Silver Cycles) are more clever than ever. Builders are given two rules: keep it cheap and keep it creative. The winning silent steed wil be decided by vote, and each bike will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Papillon took the trophy home last year but we hear Silver Cycles and Three Penny are going to give 'em a run for their money. Stay tuned to our blog for updates on the building process.

Two days until BikeFest

Tomorrow is the last day to purchase tickets for Bikefest online. The event will be held in Crystal City this Saturday from 8pm to midnight:

The highlight of the evening will be a showcase of WABA's first-ever BikeBuild Contest. Three regional bike shops are going head to head to create custom bicycles with only 3 rules - builders can't spend over $250, may use recycled parts, and MUST be as creative as possible! This year's participants include Oasis Bike Works, City Bikes and Papillon Cycles. Guests will crown BikeFest's Best Builder of 2011 with a combination of their votes and a live auction, which means three lucky attendees will take home their very own handcrafted bikes.

There's lot's more planned for the evening, with "carnival-cycle games, a silent auction and raffle, sideshow performances, live music and dancing featuring DC's Second String Band and WABA's very own DJ Jennder, as well as bicycle art by Cranky Style, palm readings, photobooth and much more!" Why not support WABA and have some fun at Bikefest?

WABA's Bikefest is this Saturday

WABA's major fundraising event in the past was the Gala, a rather formal affair, usually held at an embassy in DC. This year WABA is holding BikeFest in place of the Gala. It should be a fun and more informal event, and it will be held in Northern Virginia, in Crystal City. We hope you will support WABA and have some fun this Saturday night from 8pm to midnight at BikeFest:

As a non-profit, WABA relies largely on community support for its funding. The fundraising event for 2011 follows a new model. With plenty of opportunities bike-related fun, games, and music, we are holding our BikeFest Celebration and Fundraiser on June 11, 2011 in Crystal City. As usual, car-free transportation to and from the event is encouraged, including transit, group rides, and combinations of bike-on-metro and trail riding. For more information,to purchase your tickets, or simply to contribute to WABA visit the BikeFest page.