BEMIDJI, Minn. — Bemidji State University will be sponsoring Bike Bemidji, a free cycling event for area enthusiasts on Saturday, May 16. The event will be held in the parking lot of the Union Square shopping area in downtown Bemidji, across from the waterfront.

The event begins with a 10 a.m. bike ride around Lake Irving; participants should register before the ride at the Union Square parking lot. From 11 a.m.-2 p.m., a bike rodeo for kids will be held and prizes will be awarded to those who complete all the stations.

Lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., featuring wraps and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches courtesy of The Cabin Coffeehouse. Meals are $3, $2 for children.

The event will also feature a bike swap, where participants are encouraged to bring old bikes and bike parts to trade with others, drawings for bikes and “bike stuff,” local trail and ride information and healthy living booths.

The Bike Bemidji event is sponsored by Bemidji State University, Bemidji Woolen Mills, B-WELL, Chester Berg Toyota, ISD 31/Community Education, First National Bank, Hazelton Law Firm, Indigenous Environmental Network, Jim Hanko, Lake Region Bone and Joint, Physician’s Clinic, RDG Planning and Design, Shifting Gears Bicycles, Target, The Home Place Bike & Ski Shop and Walmart.

For more information, please contact Erika Bailey-Johnson, Bemidji State’s sustainability coordinator, at (218) 755-2560, or Diane Pittman at (218) 751-8184.