FORT COLLINS, CO--(Marketwire - Nov 10, 2011) - New Belgium Brewing today announced that Tour de Fat, the one and only traveling bike carnival, raised more than $400,000 for local nonprofits during the 2011 season. This marks a 25 percent increase over last year. Tour de Fat is now close to breaking the $2 million mark in funds raised, with its grand total at more than $1.97 million after 12 seasons of cycling philanthropy.
Tour de Fat heightens passion for bicycle culture through a costumed bike parade and bike-themed activities, complemented by live entertainment, New Belgium beer, food, quirky costumes and more. Tour de Fat is free, but money from the sale of New Belgium beer and merchandise goes directly towards local organizations focused on bicycle advocacy and environmental stewardship.
In 2011, Tour de Fat traveled to 13 cities, attracting a total of 69,550 festival attendees and 41,150 parade cyclists (up 34 percent from 2010). In addition, the festival boasts an impressive 90 percent diversion of waste from landfills. Tour de Fat kicked off in Durham, NC on June 25 and wrapped up in Austin, TX on October 22. To see how your city performed compared to other cities along the tour, see the 2011 city-by-city breakdown below.
For the fifth year and deemed the pinnacle of the event, Tour de Fat hosted the car-for-bike swap. As part of the exchange, a volunteer in each of the 13 cities traded in his or her vehicle for a hand-built commuter bike and committed to living car-free for the next year. Denver's trader, Erin Vanderberg, is actively writing a blog tracking her car-free lifestyle. You can follow her at http://365bike.wordpress.com/.
"Erin joins a committed group of swappers who all have tremendous stories to tell and we are proud and encouraged by them all," added Simpson. Visit the Tour de Fat swappers' blog at http://trademycarforabike.tumblr.com/.
For more information and to see videos from some of the 2011 tour stops, visit http://www.newbelgium.com/tour-de-fat. For more details on New Belgium Brewing, go to http://www.newbelgium.com/.
Tour de Fat Breakdown City-by-City
Grand Totals
- $401,563 Total Funds Raised
- 69,550 Attendees
June 25 - Durham, NC
- $10,144 Total Funds Raised
- 1,500 Attendees
July 9 - Nashville, TN
- $12,595 Total Funds Raised
- 1,800 Attendees
July 16 - Chicago, IL
- $21,512 Total Funds Raised
- 4,000 Attendees
July 23 - Minneapolis, MN
- $16,218 Total Funds Raised
- 2,000 Attendees
July 30 - Milwaukee, WI
- $8,921 Total Funds Raised
- 1,500 Attendees
August 20 - Boise, ID
- $43,909 Total Funds Raised
- 6,500 Attendees
September 3 - Ft. Collins, CO
- $86,569 Total Funds Raised
- 20,000 Attendees
September 10 - Denver, CO
- $60,203 Total Funds Raised
- 10,000 Attendees
September 24 - San Francisco, CA
- $21,000 Total Funds Raised
- 3,750 Attendees
October 1 - San Diego, CA
- $21,246 Total Funds Raised
- 3,000 Attendees
October 8 - Los Angeles, CA
- $15,864 Total Funds Raised
- 2,500 Attendees
October 15 - Tempe, AZ
- $70,000 Total Funds Raised
- 11,000 Attendees
October 22 - Austin, TX
- $13,383 Total Funds Raised
- 2,000 Attendees
About New Belgium Brewing Company
New Belgium Brewing Company, makers of Fat Tire Amber Ale and a host of Belgian-inspired beers, began operations in a tiny Fort Collins basement in 1991. Today, the third largest craft brewer in the U.S., New Belgium produces nine year-round beers; Fat Tire Amber Ale, Ranger IPA, Belgo IPA, Sunshine Wheat, Blue Paddle Pilsner, 1554 Black Ale, Abbey, Mothership Wit and Trippel, as well as a host of seasonal releases. In addition to producing world-class beers, New Belgium takes pride in being a responsible corporate role model with progressive programs such as employee ownership, open book management and a commitment to environmental stewardship. For more information, visit www.newbelgium.com.
Contact Information:
Contact:
Jenny Foust
(w) 303.433.7020
(c) 720.244.4268
