At the beginning of the month, WABA hosted its yearly fundraiser, BikeFest, at Eastern Market’s North Hall. BikeFest is a way to financially support WABA’s efforts to make D.C.-area bicycling better by attending a great party. This year, our members and friends were treated to live jazz, swing, and rockabilly from Atomic Swing Club; table games; a buffet by Chipotle; and a variety of New Belgium beers.
As in past years, BikeFest involved the bike-build contest, for which four local groups—Phoenix, City Bikes Adams Morgan, Papillon Cycles, and The Bike House—donated one-of-a-kind, specially built bikes. Phoenix took home the first-prize silver saddle, and all the bikes were auctioned off to new, loving owners.
Phoenix’s winning creation
Silent-auction and raffle items were graciously donated by a slew of local businesses. All proceeds from the bike-build auction, the silent auction, and raffle tickets directly support WABA’s mission. We also presented awards to superstar volunteers and advocates who have helped WABA achieve major successes in the past year. We can’t do our job without your continued support, and it’s our dedicated volunteers, friends, and supporters who truly help us make bicycling here better.
BikeFest 2013 was especially important for WABA. The cancellation of BikeDC brought us an unexpected financial challenge. We’re happy to report that proceeds from BikeFest will go directly back to our work advocating for better bike infrastructure, reaching out to communities to encourage them to bike for transportation, and educating kids and adults on safe cycling.
Noted local photographer M.V. Jantzen took some great shots of our guests. See more on Flickr.
Many thanks to David Markman for running the ad-hoc photo booth. Did you get your photo snapped with that charming vintage bike by the entryway? Look for yourself below!
We couldn’t have pulled BikeFest off without our generous sponsors. Food and libations were provided by Chipotle and New Belgium Brewing. Entertainment Sound Productions and EcoPrint provided in-kind donations. BikeFest was made possible by Boeing, Signal Financial, Toole Design Group, and CH2M Hill. And a shoutout to 9:30 Club, whose donated tickets kicked BikeFest’s own ticket sales up a notch.
Our thanks again to those who came out to BikeFest. By attending events like BikeFest, you help us to continue our great advocacy, outreach, and education work across the D.C. region. Bicycling as a mode of transportation is growing rapidly here, in no small part thanks to you. We hope to see you at our next big event, Tour de Fat, on Sat., June 1.
Want to see more photos from BikeFest? We shared tons on Flickr! If you’ve got any, add them to our Flickr pool.
