Shelby gears up for Bicycle Days celebration
By David Jacobs
Excitement is building for the Shelby Bicycle Days on July 11-12.
"I've never seen so many activities this year as I've seen in the last probably 12 years that I've been involved," Christina Drain told City Council this week as she was presented a proclamation for the 100th anniversary of the Shelby Cycle Company ahead of Shelby Bicycle Days, the community’s signature special event.
Among those accompanying Drain to the meeting was Kristen Wasilewski, co-chairman of Shelby Bicycle Days.
"She's done a phenomenal job," Drain said of Wasilewski and the Bicycle Days organizers.
"Kudos to her and her group," Drain added.
SHELBY BICYCLE DAYS (Schedule of events)
SHELBY BICYCLE DAYS Facebook page (featuring multiple updates)
SHELBY CYCLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY’s Facebook page
Shelby City Councilman Nathan Martin encourages participation in Bicycle Days.
"A lot of vendors downtown, they make around 10 percent of their profit for the year during Bicycle Days," he said. "So come out and support our local businesses. Support those who have put a lot of effort, time, and energy into making our downtown an enjoyable place to be."
Shelby's recent downtown upgrades are "meaningless if we just have a bunch of empty buildings around it, right?" Martin said. "So please come out and support all the local businesses down there."
Martin also encourages support of the Bicycle Days team.
"They've done a fantastic job of putting a lot of events together for everybody -- old, young, alike," he said. "It's one of the wonderful opportunities for us to come together as a true community and enjoy each other's company and fellowship. And also celebrating the heritage that we've been so richly blessed with. So come out and enjoy that."
Mayor Schag noted that the proclamation for the Shelby Cycle Company centennial provides context to the meaning of Bicycle Days. (See the full proclamation at the end of this article).
"I think this proclamation will give context to Bicycle Days," Schag said, crediting Drain for providing the historical information. "A lot of newcomers in our area are wondering, 'What is all this festivity about bicycles?'...There's a lot of history woven throughout this proclamation, and I think we all learned a new appreciation of Shelby bicycles and even our Shelby Whippets."
"The Bicycle Days, it is more than just the parade," Mayor Schag said. "You see there's a great history connected with our festival. So wonderful."
A CLOSER LOOK: SHELBY BICYCLE DAYS
— The full 2025 Shelby Bicycle Days schedule of events is here via Shelby’s Community Improvement Corporation. Shelby Bicycle Days take place on July 11-12. Shelby's fireworks are planned for dark on July 12 on the lawn of the former Skiles Field. This event takes place during the Shelby Bicycle Days celebration.
— 100 years of Shelby Cycle features a weekend of wheels, history, fun
AT A GLANCE/PROCLAMATION
