Time For The Northwestern Medicine LB Criterium & Block Party

A day filled with fun and excitement is guaranteed for racers and spectators alike at the 7th annual Northwestern Medicine Lake Bluff Criterium and Block Party, July 21st, in downtown Lake Bluff, with races starting at 9:00 a.m. and lasting into the evening. The Block Party on the Lake Bluff Village Green will begin mid-afternoon and continue until long after sunset. This fun filled day is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC for spectators.

Guests at the event will have an opportunity to witness 13 bike races that include world class cyclists from more than 30 states in the USA and 15 foreign countries. The racers will be competing for prize $$ and the kids, ages 3 to 9 in a race sponsored for them by Lake Forest Bank & Trust, will be competing just for fun and a treat at Suzy’s Swirl.

“Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital is proud to serve as the principal sponsor of the Northwestern Medicine Lake Bluff Criterium & Block Party for the seventh consecutive year,” stated Thomas J. McAfee, President Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital. “Our new hospital is honored to provide the community with a state-of-the-art destination for health and wellness, and this annual bicycling event is a perfect opportunity for local residents to participate in some family fun, while being active and promoting a healthy lifestyle.”

Northwestern Medicine will also serve as the official healthcare provider for the event, and will have on-site healthcare professionals to care for participants and spectators who may need medical attention during the event. A full first-aid station will be set up in the ambulance bays at the Lake Bluff Fire Station.

Lake Bluff’s Grand Tour will be lead off by the all new BMW X2, on loan for the day from Knauz Automotive Group, Lake Bluff. This all new sporty and aggressive SAV will start the races, exhibiting some serious power, similar to that of the athletes competing in the Criterium. Visitors will be able to see the BMW X2 up close and personal along with other popular models from Knauz on display throughout the Village Green.

New to the festivities this year is the Chris Clark Bicycle Stunt Show with performances at 3:45 and 7:05. Chris will be on hand after the shows for autographs and photos. Guests at the Block Party will also be entertained by live band performances, featuring classic rock music. School of Rock Highwood House Band will perform their favorites on the Village Green from 6 until 7 pm and Stayin’ Late, a band of local Lake Bluff homegrown rockers, will be onstage from 8 pm until close. Feel free to sing along and even dance, if you’d like! There will be plenty of food, refreshments and libations available from local restaurants.

Projected winners for the day -- everyone in attendance at this special celebration of summer! But, there will be one especially lucky raffle winner, taking home a 26” Schwinn Ranger Mountain Bike, courtesy of Schwinn Bikes. Tickets will be available for purchase for $1 each at the Community Church booth on the Village Green with proceeds benefitting the World Bicycle Relief Fund. The winner will be announced at 8 p.m.

For more information about the Northwestern Medicine Lake Bluff Criterium and Block Party, please contact Race Director, Marco Colbert, 847.644.0277 or visit http://intelligentsiacup.com/schedule/lake-bluff/.

A parent or guardian must register each child in advance. Registration will take place at the Lake Bluff branch of the Lake Forest Bank from Monday, July 16th to Friday, July 20th from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, and on Saturday, July 21st from 8:30 am to noon. Registration after noon on Saturday will be available at racer registration at the corner of Scranton and Oak across from Bufflingtons. There is no entry fee and each child who participates must wear a helmet.