Bikes, Barks & Balloons Memorial Day Weekend in Frankenmuth

FRANKENMUTH, MI--(Marketwired - May 18, 2015) - The 9th Annual Tour de Frankenmuth, a two-day cycling weekend, returns to Frankenmuth May 23 and 24, 2015. The Tour de Frankenmuth includes a bike race and cycling tour of Michigan's Thumb and is one of many Bikes, Barks & Balloons Memorial Day Weekend activities. The public is invited to participate in any or all of the events over the weekend.

Tour de Frankenmuth is sponsored by Zehnder's of Frankenmuth. The race's $4,000 winner's purse and bragging rights are up for grabs in the ninth annual road race. A free kid's race is also scheduled at 11:15 a.m. on Saturday, May 23.

Zehnder's Tour de Frankenmuth brings over 400 participants into Frankenmuth along with several hundred fans. Just like the major races across Europe and the U.S., the Tour de Frankenmuth promises plenty of cycling excitement. The gathering place for all events is Zehnder's Park in downtown Frankenmuth, just south of Zehnder's Restaurant. All events will be held rain or shine and coordinated by the Revolution Racing Club.

One For The Thumb
The Gran Fondo de Thumb is back for a sixth year. Gran Fondos are long distance, mass-participation cycling events that are timed but are not races; they have become immensely popular in Europe and are just now becoming popular in North America. The Gran Fondo features a tour of Michigan's Thumb. With routes for beginners and expert riders, the Gran Fondo includes 15-mile, 65-mile, 90-mile and the extreme 130-mile long routes. Riders choosing the longest route will end at the wind turbines of Ubly, Mich.

Additional Family Fun Weekend Events
Dog Bowl 2015 - Frankenmuth invites you to the free eighth annual Dog Bowl featuring an Olympic-style event for dogs at Frankenmuth River Place. Canine athletes are welcome to get in on the action. Dock Dogs, Disc Dog and many other events will be featured throughout the weekend.

Balloons Over Bavaria - Over thirty balloonists will compete for accuracy in achieving flight tasks and striving to hit targets on the ground in six flight attempts over the weekend. Visitors can experience the Balloon Glow with tethered hot air balloons that glow and flicker in the evening sky. Fans can meet the pilots, get autographs and even take pictures with children in a flight basket. Balloon Glows are scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.

Fireworks Finale - Weekend events will conclude with a fantastic fireworks display sponsored by PEPSI on Sunday evening, May 24, beginning at approximately 9:45 p.m.

For more information on the Tour de Frankenmuth cycling events and the Memorial Weekend activities go to www.tourdefrankenmuth.com, www.dogbowlfun.com or www.frankenmuth.org.

The Bavarian town of Frankenmuth, 90 miles north of Detroit, is one of the state's top tourist destinations with more than 3 million visitors each year. In addition to its 1,500 seat restaurant that offers a marketplace, bakery and gift store, Zehnder's of Frankenmuth owns and operates Zehnder's Splash Village Hotel and Waterpark, and the 18-hole championship golf course, The Fortress. Learn more about Zehnder's at www.zehnders.com or call 800-863-7999, central reservations for dining, golf, meetings and lodging.